Craig voted off X Factor

Craig Colton left the X Factor this evening after going head to head with Amelia Lily in the sing-off.

The decision went to public vote as the judges ended in deadlock over who to send home.

Take That star Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos voted to send Amelia Lily home, while former Destiny’s Child singer Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh voted to send Craig out of the competition.

The remaining five acts will return next weekend to continue fighting for a place in the X Factor final at Wembley Arena in London.

Craig thanked his mentor Barlow, saying: “I’ve had the time of my life these last few months and he did it all with me.”

The results show kicked off with a group performance of When You’re Gone by Bryan Adams, who joined them on stage mid-performance.

Adams advised the contestants to write their own music and said he was backing Amelia, who had returned to the show only last week after the removal of Frankie Cocozza.

2010 X Factor runner up Rebecca Ferguson made a guest appearance, singing her debut single Nothing’s Real But Love from an album which she co-wrote.

Pop sensation Rihanna performed her current Number 1 hit single We Found Love, wearing a high-necked tartan minidress.