By HOLLY THOMAS

Waterworks: Tulisa Contostavlos broke down in tears as she announced that she was eliminating girl duo Two Shoes

It was a tense opening to the night's show, and the judges have clearly felt the weight of their decision over the past 24 hours.

Tulisa, who said she hasn't slept a wink told Dermot: 'Ive changed my mind twice today, made my mind up half an hour ago.'

But the choice had to be made, and it was with many tears that Jonjo, James Michael, 2 Shoes and Amelia Lily said goodbye to their X Factor dream.


Too much: Kelly Rowland couldn't keep her eyes dry as she eliminated 16-year-old Amelia Lily

As Dermot asked the judges how they had felt over the last 24 hours it was 23-year-old Tulisa who appeared the most affected.

Brevity-loving Gary followed simply with '5 o'clock', while Louis added that this choice was 'the worst ever.'

Kelly clearly found the decision hard in light of the time the judges have now spent with their acts, and said: 'I'm mad you waited til now to do this, we've been getting to know these kids, getting excited about their careers.'


Out: Solider Jonjo Kerr was the first act to leave the show, with mentor Louis Walsh saying he had based his choice on who the public would like the most

While they agonised a little longer last year's winner Matt Cardle performed his Gary Barlow-penned hit Run For Your Life, after which Cee Lo Green performed a medley, rounding things off with his number one track 'Forget You'.

Louis' first choice to go through to the next round was Sami Brookes, who was not among his original final four, but wowed the judges the previous night with her performance of the Yomanda classic You're Free.


Hitting home: The 27-year-old buried his face in his hands

While they agonised a little longer last year's winner Matt Cardle performed his Gary Barlow-penned hit Run For Your Life, after which Cee Lo Green performed a medley, rounding things off with his number one track 'Forget You'.

Louis' first choice to go through to the next round was Sami Brookes, who was not among his original final four, but wowed the judges the previous night with her performance of the Yomanda classic You're Free.


Unable to speak: James Michael was eliminated from the boys category by Gary Barlow, and immediately started to cry

Next through was an ecstatic Kitty Brucknell, after which Louis said: 'This was not easy, I agonised, but at the end of the day I have to keep the person I think the public will like most.'

The judge picked Johnny Robinson, eliminating Jonjo Kerr, who failed to impress last night with his forgettable rendition of the 1964 Kinks hit 'You Really Got Me.'

As the soldier told Dermot 'I could have done better' Louis chipped in with a contrived-sounding: 'I changed my mind twice as well today.'


Still friends? Tulisa sobbed as she eliminated girl duo 2 Shoes from the groups category

Gary was more business-like in his announcement, first boy first putting through Marcus Collins, followed by Craig Colton, who the Take That singer said had given the best performance last night.

The judge continued: 'I've really based this on last night, I found last night very useful'

'There are only four left we're at such a high level here,' he added.


Distraught: 16-year-old Amelia Lily, who gave a confident performance of Billie Jean last night, was Kelly's choice to go
The last boy Gary put through was 'hearthrob', Frankie Cocozza eliminating James Michael.

James had divided the judges with his interpretation of the Beatles classic 'Ticket To Ride' last night.

Dermot asked him how he felt, but the singer was unable to speak, and with tears streaming down his face said: 'I'm just going to cry.'


Thoughtful: Gary was clearly sad to have to see James go, but said that he had found last night's performance 'useful' in making his choice

And there were more waterworks to come during the group elimination, as Tulisa choked: 'I've spent the last 24 hours crying tears, tearing my hear out. You're my friends, I can honestly say that.'

The first group the 23-year-old put through was girl foursome Rhythmix, followed by boy band The Risk, who whooped as they crossed the stage.

Tearing up further, Tulisa said that she had been a 'little disappointed' in the next group's performance the previous night, but based on their potential put Nu Vibe through, eliminating girl duo 2 Shoes.


Used to it? Louis said that this part of the show was 'the worst' but there was no signs of tears from the X Factor old-hand


Consolation: The Nu Vibe boys hugged 2 Shoes after their elimination
Tulisa started to cry along with her act as the girls' performances were shown on screen.

She told them: 'I can't even find a reason why, but I had to pick an act. I swear I want to stay in touch with you.'

The Essex pair had performed Girls Aloud hit Something Kinda Oooh from inside a pink Peugeot and a stage full of topless male dancers.


Thrilled: Craig Colten looked delighted to be going through


Safe bet: Tulisa's group The Risk are thought to the next round

Kelly said as she announced her choice: 'This was so touch of a decision to make.'
The Destiny's Child star picked 16-year-old Janet Devlin first, followed by Misha B.
Before she revealed her final choice she broke down in tears, telling the last two: 'I want you both to know that you are such stars.'


Disbelieving: 16-year-old Janet Devlin always seemed a shoe in to get through, but looked nervous all the same

But 16-year-old Amelia Lily, who opened last night's show with a sensational performance of Billie Jean, was eliminated, with Sophie Habibis, who performed Katy Perry's Teenage Dream through to the next round.

This has clearly been an emotional 24 hours all round.


Joining in: Girl group Rhythmix got through, but cried anyway

Tulisa tweeted last night: 'So I still haven't decided, can't sleep, who do I choose, all so talented n love em all so much...'

Still struggling in the early hours, she added: 'Watching back performances, its killing me, need 2 think x' and then later: 'Think its time 4 food 4 thought.'


Shocked? Controversial Kitty Brucknell is through to the next stage of the competition

X FACTOR TULISA DECIDES ON WHICH ACT SHE IS SENDING HOME LIVE 9/10/2011


source: dailymail