The Elton John collection - The X Factor - News

The second half of tonight’s show was dedicated to the music of Elton John, and was another opportunity for the finalists to show us their star quality and sing their hearts out for a second time.

After a couple of shaky weeks and surviving two sing-offs, Lloyd’s I’m Still Standing seemed somewhat prophetic, as he purposefully strode around the stage with a gang of cane-wielding dancers in tow.

Unsurprisingly Louis didn’t like it: “You’re just about standing after that,” he quipped.

Dannii thought it was better than the first song but Simon disagreed, and criticised Cheryl for a “silly song choice”.

“The retro routine didn’t suit you or the song,” said Simon.

Danyl Johnson then reverted back to type and nailed a ballad. Singing the Elton anthem Your Song, and backed by a 16-strong children’s choir, the 27-year-old looked in his element as he showed off his extensive vocal range.

“I loved everything about it… except the choir!” Louis said.

Dannii was impressed and Cheryl, usually Danyl’s strongest critic said: “We are seeing the Danyl we first fell in love with at the audition process.

Simon hailed the performance as “sensational”.

After being shocked to find himself in last week’s bottom two, Olly Murs proved he’s ready to fight for his X Factor survival, and with his obligatory harem of female dancers, produced a fanfare performance as he belted his way through Saturday Night’s Alright For Fighting.  

“Round one was OK, but round two was an absolute knockout!” Dannii yelled, above the crowd’s chants of: “Olly, Olly, Olly!”

“You put your heart into it,” Simon said: “I’m very, very happy with you.”

For the second time tonight Joe delivered a near faultless performance, leaving Cheryl swelling with pride at his rendition of Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word.

“You’ve got it all!” Louis exclaimed: “You were born to do this.”

Dannii admitted that she “had to” see Joe in the final, and Simon admitted he was “gob-smacked” by his performance.

“The boy has turned into a man,” he said: “By far my favourite ever performance of yours.”

“You make me proud to be a Geordie,” Cheryl gushed.

The show was wrapped up in style thanks to Stacey’s powerful version of the wedding classic The Way You Look Tonight.

Louis wasn’t crazy about the song choice but told Stacey he thought she’d make the final three.

Cheryl thought Stacey did well “under the circumstances”, where as Simon told her the song “didn’t do you justice.”

“I really loved it,” said Dannii: “I don’t know what Simon is talking about.”

After ten quality performances predicting which of the final five will end up in tomorrow’s bottom two is anybody’s guess - but if you want your favourite act to stay in you’ll have to show your support, because tomorrow’s result will be decided entirely by the public vote… the judges no longer vote on who goes home.

Who are you backing? Leave a comment below...

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