Janet misses out on semi final slot

Irish singer Janet Devlin missed out on a place in the X Factor semi-final tonight after her lacklustre performance failed to win her votes.

The teenager forgot some of the words to 90s hit ‘Mmm Bop’ on last night’s show, later blaming the mistake on feeling like she was “going to throw up” after eating something funny.

Her second song, ‘Red Hot Chili Peppers’ ‘Under the Bridg’e, was marginally more successful but not enough to save her from tonight’s sing-off with Misha B.

Janet, 17, hoped singing ‘Chasing Cars’ by ‘Snow Patrol’ would be enough to win over the judges, but they preferred her rival’s version of ‘Out Here on My Ow’n from the musical ‘Fame’.

Mentor Kelly Rowland was unable to choose between her two acts and abstained from voting, having admitted “feeling sick” when both girls ended up in the bottom two.

Louis Walsh had already decided to save Misha B however, saying: “I’m going to pick the person who’s going to give the most to this competition.”

He was followed by Tulisa, who voted for Misha B after saying she wanted to save the person “who’s going to sell records, who’s going to sell out arenas”.

Kelly’s decision to abstain meant Janet was automatically sent home as the majority had already chosen her to go – but ‘Take That’ singer Gary Barlow later admitted he would have also saved Misha B.

Asked how she felt at the news, Janet said: “I don’t know. Obviously I’m very confused.

“I can’t wait to walk out of the show and get my music out.”

Host Dermot O’Leary described Janet as “one of the most exciting people we’ve had on the show”. Kelly agreed, gushing that the teen had “such a unique gift”.

Misha B joins girl band Little Mix, pink-haired Amelia Lily and the sole remaining male singer Marcus Collins in next Saturday’s semi-final.

Tonight’s programme featured performances from former contestant Olly Murs, accompanied by The Muppets, and Jessie J.

This year’s X Factor charity single ‘Wishing on a Star’ was also performed by this year’s finalists, joined by boy bands One Direction and JLS, who both found fame on the ITV1 show.