X Factor: final 12 revealed

The finalists were revealed in yesterday’s second Judges’ Houses episode but as usual, there was a twist…

One by one, the hopefuls trudged trembling (and sometimes already crying) to the judges’ lavish sofas to hear their fate.

The Girls living it up in St Lucia before the axe falls

First to find out were the girls – with youngest contestant Ella Henderson, 16, being told first that she had made it through to the live shows.

Tulisa Contostavlos – helped by Tinie Tempah in St Lucia – then also chose Jade Ellis and Lucy Spraggan to complete the Girls category. However, Tulisa broke down in tears after telling Amy Mottram that she had not made it through, before admitting that she was not sure if she had actually made the right decision.

Over in Las Vegas, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne made a decision about the groups category. They kept MK1, Union J and GMD3 (the group with the name that Sharon described as sounding ‘like a virus’).

What happens in Vegas: Louis gives boyband Union J good news

For the boys category, Nicole Scherzinger was joined by Ne-Yo to select her final three in Dubai.

The Boys in Dubai before some get the heave-ho

She chose James Arthur, Jahmene Douglas and somewhat eccentric contestant Rylan Clark, who took the news that he was going through rather dramatically… (by bursting into hysterical sobs and asking everyone whether or not it was a set up!).

Nicole Scherzinger is shocked at Rylan’s response

Second time round contestant Melanie Masson, along with Kye Sones and Carolynne Poole were chosen by Gary Barlow for the Overs, with assistance from Cheryl Cole at Boughton House in Northampton.

Cheryl Cole’s back…but only to help Gary judge the Overs

Popular contestant Christopher Maloney was surprisingly sent home despite having delivered a great rendition of Jagged Edge’s ‘I’m all out of love’.

He’s all out of love: popular Christopher Maloney sent home

Surprise twist

However, in a surprise twist, four of the unsuccessful acts (one from each category) have a chance to be voted back into the show on a ‘Wildcard’.

The judges have chosen Christopher Maloney (Overs), Adam Burridge (Boys), Amy Mottram (Girls) and Times Red (Groups) to go up against each other in a public vote that will continue until next Saturday’s live show, with the winning act performing alongside the other 12 finalists.

Who would you pick as your wildcard? Did you think Rylan should have gone through? Let us know below.