Exeter's X Factor contestant saved by judges after shock 'Flash Vote' result

Following the revelation that Shelley Smith, the bubbly single mum and X Factor contestant from Farringdon, Exeter, was going to have to do battle in a sing-off due to the newly established 'Flash Vote', shell-shocked Shelley told Dermot O'Leary on Saturday night: “I’m just going to sing my little heart out and try my best, that’s all I can do. I have so much more to give.”

And sing her little heart out she did, with a powerful rendition of Jennifer Hudson's One Night Only, a song in which she could display the versitility of her voice.  

The 34-year-old mum and former van driver has consistently impressed throughout the contest with her power vocals and stage presence.

Tonight Shelley faced fellow Overs hopeful Lorna Simpson - a uni student from South Norwood, London -  in the bottom two. Poor Sharon Osbourne, the ladies’ mentor, was torn as she was forced to watch her contestants battle it out amongst themselves.

With no Deadlock in this year’s show, if the judges tied on who they wanted to stay and who they wanted to send home, the decision would automatically revert back to who had lost the Flash Vote on Saturday, aka Shelley this week.

Sharon Osbourne, who faced an impossible decision, decided not to have a say in the result, saying: “Dermot, I abstain.” However, this decision has received criticism from some viewers who pointed out that Sharon is being paid to vote and so she should have done so regardless of who was in the firing line.

Louis Walsh was next up, and he also struggled, saying: “Dermot two brilliant singers, an amazing sing-off, brilliant song choices. This is a really difficult one. But I have to send somebody home. The person I’m sending home tonight is Lorna.”

Gary Barlow added: “Can I just say what a fantastic sing-off that was, you were both amazing. Shelley, if you’d have sung like that last night you’d still be here now, song choice is key for you.

“Lorna I believe you have some major tuning issues, you need to control your voice... but you have an amazing voice.”

Then, after being pushed, Gary decided to send Shelley home.

Finally Nicole Scherzinger had her say, adding: “Girls that was unbelievable, like Gary said that sing-off was amazing. Lorna you have blown me away and impressed me so much. You can sing Whitney Houston, your voice has no limits to it.

“Shelley, there’s something about you and I think there’s more to see.”

Nicole then opted to send home Lorna and save Shelley, sealing the’s fate, and securing her position in X Factor for at least another week. It could be that knowing she was to battle it out in the sing off, Shelley actually had the advantage over Lorna. This morning she tweeted "Morning everyone, I've had a couple of hours kip, a good cry now I'm coming out fighting tonight! Thank you everyone for yr lovely messagesXXX"

Lorna’s exit means Sharon Osbourne has just two acts remaining in the Overs: Shelley and Sam Bailey. And meanwhile, Devon's two X Factor contestants survive another week. Neither Shelley or Luke Friend are favourites to make it through to the grand X Factor final, with Luke only just above Shelley and Lorna in the pecking order. However, the judges were full of praise for the young singer from Teignmouth, with Louis Walsh, Luke’s mentor, saying: “It’s 80s week and you took it and made it your own. I love your energy, it is so laid back today. You bring it and I know how much you love music and how much this means to you.”

And so we watch Shelley and Luke's progress with interest and wish them lots of luck for next week's live show.

Click here for all the latest X Factor gossip.