Girlband kicked off 'X Factor'

Girlband were the second contestants to be voted off the 'X Factor'.

In the Michael Jackson-themed show, presented by Dermot O’Leary last night, all remaining 11 finalists sang live in front of the judges and studio audience.

The results show, shown 45 minutes after the first show ended, saw Spanish-born Ruth Lorenzo go head-to-head with Girlband after both acts picked up the fewest votes with the public.

It was Girlband’s second consecutive week in the bottom two after facing a sing-off in last week’s show with fellow group Bad Lashes.

Earlier in the night both acts received poor reviews from the judges and Lorenzo fluffed the lyrics in her version of 'I Just Can’t Stop Loving You'.

Girlband’s rendition of 'Heal The World' was branded over-the-top by stern critic Simon Cowell who said he had half expected polar bears to make an appearance at one stage.

The two acts were given a second chance to perform a new song and told to sing for their place in the competition.

Lorenzo sang the Prince hit 'Purple Rain' and Girlband performed rock ballad 'Don’t Want To Miss A Thing' by Aerosmith.

However, the judges still failed to reach a majority verdict on who to kick out and Simon Cowell took the vote to deadlock for a second consecutive week.

Referring the decision to the public vote it was Girlband who secured the least support and had to say goodbye.

Judge Louis Walsh, who is mentoring the groups, has only one act left in the competition.

Earlier, X Factor judge Cheryl Cole showed the pop star wannabes just how far a televised talent show can get you when she performed with her group Girls Aloud.

Cole was supported in the audience by her husband, Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, who did not play in his team’s 5-0 thumping of Middlesbrough earlier in the day.

The remaining 10 finalists will sing again on next Saturday’s show.