Waissel putting family controversy behind her

'X Factor' contender Katie Waissel attempted to put the lurid revelations about her 81-year-old porn star grandmother behind her - by singing 'Sex On Fire'.

The 24-year-old gave a heartfelt performance of the Kings of Leon hit on last night's show as part of this week's rock theme.

Her grandmother Sheila Vogel has admitted selling sex through an online escort agency and starring in an X-rated film.

Talent show judge Simon Cowell praised the choice of song, telling her: "Only you, after the week you've had, could come out on that stage and sing 'Your sex is on fire'."

Waissel's rendition of the REM classic 'Everybody Hurts' evoked some of the pain the unwelcome headlines may have caused her this week.

Judge Louis Walsh also alluded to the newspaper stories, saying: "You've had such a tough time in the press but I believe in you as a person and I believe in you as a performer ... I know you're hurting inside."

Cowell quibbled with the choice of song however, arguing that cutting it down to make it fit the allowed time slot did not work.

In a show in which the final seven acts were competing for their place in the semi-finals, all received encouragement and applause from the judges.

Even wildcard Wagner Carrilho was praised across the board for his performances of angsty Radiohead song 'Creep' and Robert Palmer's 'Addicted to Love'.

Dannii Minogue told him it was "the best thing you've sung".

Paying him something of a backhanded compliment, she added: "I think it's because you connected with the lyrics."

This prompted Walsh to ask: "Are you saying he's a creep?"

Carrilho brushed off the suggestion he was a creep by admitting: "It's very nice to have a compliment."

Boy band One Direction were all smiles after the judges heaped compliments on them too, with Walsh declaring he thought they were "the next big boy band".

Cheryl Cole agreed that there was a "big future" for them after they gave a lively performance of Bryan Adams favourite 'Summer of '69'.

Teenager Cher Lloyd bounced back with Avril Lavigne song 'Girlfriend' and Aerosmith number 'Walk This Way'.

Walsh told her she was a "little diva in the making" while Cowell said that her performance was "by any standards on the money."

Former supermarket worker Mary Byrne even attempted a little dancing to her accompany her performance of The Pretenders' 'Brass In Pocket', while Rebecca Ferguson proved herself a true soul sister with her Motown-tinged rendition of the Rolling Stones' 'Satisfaction'.

Judges told her she leant the song an Aretha Franklin touch, with Cowell hailing the performance as a return to form for the mother-of-two.

Meanwhile Matt Cardle sung 'I Love Rock And Roll' like he meant it - and was told he was "terrific" by Cowell for his efforts.

The seven acts will have to wait until tonight to find out which two will be leaving the ITV1 show in a double elimination.