Mary Byrne Booted Off X Factor - MTV UK

The 51-year old narrowly missed out on a place in next week's final...

Mary Byrne has become the latest contestant to be voted off The X Factor, after losing out in the sing-off to Cher Lloyd, meaning she will miss next weeks final.

The former Tesco worker and Cher found themselves in the bottom two after failing to impress the public with their performances on Saturday evening's show.

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Byrne opted to sing James Brown's It's A Man's World, while 17-year old Lloyd chose to perform the Britney Spears ballad Everytime.

After two emotional performances, it was down the judges to decided their fate, as Mary's mentor, Louis Walsh gave the 51-year old a life-line, picking Byrne over Cher, stating: "Mary was incredible, she was emotional."

However, the vote did not go Mary's way as Dannii Minogue chose to save Cher, claiming her performance "tugged at her heart-strings" as Lloyd's mentor, Cheryl Cole, stood by her act and decided to boot Byrne off the show.

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The Girls Aloud star explained: "This is really difficult because Mary you have always touched me with your vocal and you know that. You are two completely different acts that we would not compare in the real world."

She added: "But Cher is my girl and I backed her from the start and I will until the end."

Simon Cowell agreed with Dannii and Chezza, giving Cher her place in the final as he told Mary: "This is quite straightforward. Mary I have supported you from the beginning and tonight proved what a good singer you are."

CHECK OUT PICS OF THE 2010 X FACTOR FINALISTS IN MTV'S GALLERY HERE!!

He continued: "Cher, I actually liked that song you just sang. It was like hearing you for the first time. The act I'm sending through to the final is Cher."

Cher will now join finalists Matt Cardle, Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction as they will battle it out in next weekend's final to decide the winner of this year's series.

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