X Factor 2011: Tulisa in tears as her boy band Nu Vibe are sent home after close call with former favourite Frankie

By Andrea Magrath

Last updated at 12:56 AM on 17th October 2011

Gary Barlow was the only judge who boasted that he did not feel nervous ahead of tonight's results on the X Factor.

It seems the Take That judge may have overestimated the female fan base for his contestant Frankie Cocozza, who ended up in the bottom two alongside Nu Vibe.

The teen's survival performance was enough to keep him in the competition though, as only Nu Vibe's mentor Tulisa chose to save the group.

Gone: Tulisa's group Nu Vibe were voted out of the competition on tonight's X Factor results show

Shock near exit: Nu Vibe went up against assumed favourite Frankie Cocozza singing for survival

Nu Vibe performed a slowed-down, almost unrecognisable rendition of Cheryl Cole's Promise This.

Tulisa shed tears as she watched her group perform, telling the audience that she was so sad to see the group in this position as she had so much faith in them.

The group, who were thrown together during boot camp after auditioning as solo artists, were graceful in defeat, thanking the judges for the opportunity.

During their chat on the Xtra Factor later, the band nominated Misha B and The Risk as their favourites of the finalists, and Craig as the one to win.

Singing for survival: nu Vibe performed a slowed-down rendition of Cheryl Cole's Promise This

Tears: Tulisa couldn't hide her emotion as the group performed for the last time

The group tweeted after the show: 'Thank you for everything. We've had such a great experience. Sorry we can't perform to you on the X factor again but this is not the last of Nu Vibe.'

Earlier Gary Barlow was shocked when his star contestant Frankie was announced as one of the bottom two acts.

'I can't believe I'm saying this,' Gary said. 'Frankie Cocozza singing for survival,' before Frankie performed I Can't Do This By Myself.

Throughout his song the 18-year-old clearly kept the girls in the audience happy, blowing kisses to his fan base.

Not good enough: The 18-year-old admitted after last night's show that he feared his performance wasn't good enough

Frankie admitted that after last night's performance he felt deserved to go home on tonight's show.

He even tweeted shortly ahead of the show tonight: 'Extremely nervous. If I don't get through I have had an amazing experience.'

But when it came to the judges for the vote, it was split three to one in favour of Frankie.

Gary said: 'Wow. I can't believe I'm looking at Frankie stood on that stage tonight, I really can't. This is simple for me, the act I'm sending home is Nu Vibe.'

Emotional: Tulisa was in tears as her act was sent home, and said she couldn't understand why it had happened

Kelly deliberated over her answer, which she said was 'so hard,' before sending home Nu Vibe.

A clearly emotional Tulisa said: 'I think it's pretty obvious. It's a shame, but I'm sending Frankie home.'

Louis was the last to vote. 'It's tough,' he said. 'Neither act had a really good night last night. I'm saving the act who has the most potential... I'm sending home Nu Vibe.'

Tulisa was in tears when she joined her group onstage, telling Dermot that she still believes in them and was confused as to why they had been axed. 'Keep going guys,' she urged.

Style wars: Kelly chose a dramatic black gown with a plunging neckline, while Tulisa opted for a short, flirty prom-style frock with a very bust neckline

Glam factor: Viewers were quick to note the female judges' cleavage

The results show kicked off tonight with the finalists first group performance, to Hello by Martin Solveig, which had even the judges dancing in their seats, followed by a standing ovation.

Kelly wore a floor-length black gown with a plunging front that showed off plenty of cleavage,

A sheer body stocking covered her décolletage and torso.

The Destiny's Child star wore her hair in tumbling curls with dramatic dangling earrings and bangles.

Tulisa chose a flirty cream prom-style dress which had Twitter users all commenting on her substantial cleavage.

Upbeat: The finalists did there first group performance to Hello by Martin Solveig

She wore her hair in a bun to the side of her head and large stud earrings.

The Risk were the first group to be sent through to next week, followed closely by Janet, Craig and Johnny.

Gary certainly looked uncomfortable as he was left with two contestants remaining in the final three, before a relieved Marcus was put through.

Nu Vibe were the first to take the stage last night, performing U2's hit With or Without You.

Excited: johnny, who received a tweet from Kylie Minogue after his performance last night, was an early name to be called

Celebration: Girl band Rhythmix are so far successfully beating the 'curse of the girl bands' and are through to week three

Surprise: Sophie looked like she couldn't believe it when her name was called, after voicing her concerns that fans didn't know her yet

SHOW LOSES TWO MILLION VIEWERS

By BEN TODD
Saturday night’s programme was watched by an average of 10.1million people, compared with 12million in the corresponding episode of the previous series.
The ratings slump has coincided with a revival in the fortunes of its BBC1 rival, Strictly Come Dancing.
The long-running dance contest – which averaged 9.1million viewers – beat the X Factor for all but five minutes of the half-hour period when the two programmes overlapped. It also had a larger audience share.
The X Factor numbers are a huge blow to the programme’s executive producer Simon Cowell, 52, who left the British judging panel in order to launch the series in America.

Both Louis and Gary commented last night that they were disappointed in the group's performance.

Louis told the boys that he loved their boy band image but added: 'There's something missing, there's no vibe.'

To which Gary agreed saying: 'I'm sorry guys but no vibe for me. At this stage in the competition I would expect to hear vocals a lot tighter than this.'

Kelly disagreed with the male judges by using her favourite phrase: 'I didn't know what to expect but I'm so happy you guys decided to put it down!'

But that didn't stop her choosing to send them home tonight.

Frankie also received some less than stellar remarks, with Louis telling him he'd 'lost his swagger.'

Last night's episode of the X Factor pulled in two million less viewers than the same week in 2010, it was reported today.