'You'll be the biggest girl group ever to come out of the UK!': Little Mix break 'the curse' to top tonight's X Factor performances

By Andrea Magrath

Last updated at 10:40 PM on 19th November 2011

With just six competitors left, the competition is getting serious on the X Factor.

So on tonight's episode, the remaining contestants really upped their games, delivering some of the best performances of the season.

Standing out, though, was Little Mix, who appear to have well and truly broken the 'curse of the girl groups' and are emerging as hot favourites to win the competition.

Breaking the girl group curse: Little Mix dazzled on tonight's X Factor with their powerful performance of En Vogue's Don't Let Go from the film Set It Off

Big things to come: The judges told Perrie, Jesy, Jade and Leigh-Anne that they could be the 'biggest girl band to come out of the UK'

The four-piece, who drew criticism last week for sticking to their 'pop/hip hop' genre, changed things up with a powerful vocal performance of En Vogue's Don't Let Go.

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The girls, dressed in matching monochrome outfits, received a standing ovation for the performance, which Gary said was their best yet.

'We're looking at the next great girl band in the UK,' Louis enthused, barely audible over the cheering.

Girl band advice: Earlier int he week Little Mix attended The Saturdays' tour rehearsals, where the group told them to cherish their friendship first

Star power: The girls also attended the Twilight premiere with the rest of the contestants

Every tween's dream: But they were the only ones to get a shout out from Taylor Lautner

Kelly added: 'Everything I've wanted from you girls for the past few weeks, you just gave me. I think you'll be the biggest girl band to ever come out of the UK.'

Gary asked the girls to 'strip things back' next week to really show that they can rely on simply their vocal talent.

It was an exciting few days for Little Mix in between rehearsals. The group got to meet The Saturdays during their tour rehearsals, who advised them to cherish their friendship and it will show on stage.

Later in the week they were shown attending the Twilight: Breaking Dawn premiere, where Taylor Lautner sent them a shout out over the VT.

Fashion factor: Kelly looked gorgeous in a white gown with multi-coloured embellishment by Sass & Bide, while Tulisa rocked a short black frock

Awkward: Darmot's cringe-worthy dance routine to kick off a 'Night at the Movies' immediately set the phrase 'Oh Dermot' trending on Twitter

Earlier, the host Dermot O'Leary kicked off 'A Night at the Movies' with a comical routine with some scantily-clad backing dancers, immediately setting the phrase, 'Oh Dermot' trending on Twitter.

Both the female judges looked gorgeous as ever, Tulisa in a short black frock while Kelly dazzled in a floor-length Sass & Bide white gown with multi-coloured embellishment.

Craig Colton was first to hit the stage, with the classic 007 tune License to Kill. But while no one could fault his vocals, the song choice was ravaged.

License to thrill: Craig Colton kicked off proceedings with License to Kill from James Bond

'This is a singing competition not a song choice competition': Gary was furious with Tulisa and Louis' comments about his song choice

Louis said: 'I don't think it was a great song choice, you're better than that.' Tulisa agreed, saying it was 'predictable.'

'You always deliver vocally,' Kelly said, struggling to find any constructive criticism, only suggesitng he 'bring a little more.'

'This is lazy critique from the judges tonight,' said a furious Gary. 'This is a singing competition not a song choice competition.'

Janet Devlin took on board the judges comments from last week, by going slightly more up-tempo with her rendition of 'Kiss Me' from How to Love a Guy in Ten Days.

Romantic: Janet sang 'Kiss Me' from How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days

Who said I was boring? The Irish redhead changed things up after last week's comments, performing a more uptempo tune, and was rewarded with excellent reviews from the judges

The judges and audience adored the romantic performance.

'I am so happy to see you back in your comfort zone,' said Tulisa, advising her to pull an 'epic' song out of the bag for next week.

Gary, who called her 'bordering on boring' last week, told Janet that he loved her performance.

Amelia Lily was up next, dazzling with 'Think' from Bridget Jones' Diary, however Tulisa admitted she didn't know the classic Aretha Franklin song.

Back with a bang: Amelia Lily dazzled with her performance of Think from Bridget Jones' diary

Think pink: Amelia nailed the classic Aretha Franklin tune, despite Tulisa admitting she'd never heard of it

Girl time: Amelia and Kelly were shown bonding with a spa day after five weeks apart

Gary said he thought it was performed an octave too high for her range and that she rushed in parts, but all in all the judges loved the performance

After the ad break, Dermot found David Walliams and Lara Stone in the audience. Walliams pleaded for Johnny to be let back in, but said he was also rooting for Little Mix.

Next up was Misha B, who belted out Whitney Houston's Oscar-nominated I Have Nothing from The Bodyguard.

Next up was Misha B, who belted out Whitney Houston's Oscar-nominated I Have Nothing from The Bodyguard.

Powerful: Misha B belted out Whitney Houston's Oscar-nominated I Have Nothing from The Bodyguard

Soul diva: Wearing a stunning white gown with feathered shoulders, Misha broke down in tears following her song, which received a standing ovation from Kelly

Wearing a stunning white gown with feathered shoulders, Misha broke down in tears following her performance, which received a standing ovation from Kelly.

'You blew me away,' Tulisa said. 'That was a beautiful performance.'

'I was so sad the last two weeks when you were in the bottom two,' said Gary. 'I completely disagree with everyone watching this show, I can't believe no one is voting for you. The disappointing thing is that its affecting your performances and your song choices.'

Overcome: Gary told the emotional singer that he though that being in the bottom two for two weeks had made give 'safe' performances and that he wanted to see 'the old Misha' back on stage

Emotional: Misha, who is adopted, had earlier bonded with mentor Kelly after being contacted by her birth mother

He explained: 'I feel like you're being too safe. I want Misha B back. And if you have to go out like that, so what? Go out with your integrity.'

It had been an emotional week for Misha, whose birth mother wrote an open letter to her daughter, published in a magazine.

The singer was comforted by an equally emotional Kelly, who told her about her own experiences being contacted by her absent father following fame.

Finally, Marcus closed the show, performing Otis Redding’s (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher from Ghostbusters.

A word of advice: Last year's runner-up Rebecca Ferguson visited Marcus during the week

Energetic: Marcus performed Otis Redding’s (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher from Ghostbusters

The judges called it one of the best performances of the show, placing Marcus level with Little Mix.

'The little man from Liverpool with the big soulful voice,' enthused Louis. 'Every week you bring it.'

'Marcus, that's what movie week is all about,' said Tulisa. 'Can I just say, Marcus is baaaack!'

Kelly retorted: 'Marcus has been here and he has raised the building.'

Gary called it the 'performance of the night. No other contestant has improved the way you have week after week.'

Rising star: Marcus is also becoming a favourite to end up in the finals

Meanwhile axed Frankie Cocozza wrote on Twitter that it felt odd to be watching the show from home. 'Strange watching x factor, glad everyone done so well #teambarlow' he tweeted.

On tomorrow night's results show Rihanna and last year's runner-up Rebecca Ferguson, who made a cameo in tonight's episode, will perform.

As of next week, the final five contestants will be performing two songs each.