And Amelia's back! After a slew of predictable performances X Factor reject puts the rest to shame with her showstopping return

By Holly Thomas

Last updated at 11:35 PM on 12th November 2011

It was hardly a surprise, but tonight X Factor reject Amelia Lily returned to the show following a landslide win on the public vote.

The 17-year-old took to the stage for a heartfelt rendition of Queen's The Show Must Go On.

She had confessed prior to the announcement: 'When Kelly sent me home after the first life show, it was like having my heart ripped out'

She's back! Amelia Lily returned to the X Factor tonight with a stunning performance of Queen's Don't Stop Me Now

The singer won 48 per cent of the public vote, after she, James Micheal, Jonjo Kerr, and Two Shoes were given a second chance to achieve their X Factor dream.

The foursome were put forward for the public vote following Frankie Cocozza's disgraceful departure due to cocaine use.

Amelia said that the 48 hours since she had heard the news that she might come back were: 'the most stressful two days of my life, but so worth it'

She gushed after her performance: 'Oh God, I've been so emotional backstage, I cannot believe I'm back in. Thank you everybody for believing in me.'

Brought the house down: Amelia performed with total confidence despite being weeks behind the other contestants

Landslide: The 17-year-old won 48 per cent of the public vote after the original four rejects were recalled following Frankie Cocozza's departure

'I've always wanted to be a star ever since I was a little girl. Performing on the first live show was the most incredible experience of my life,' she added.

'I could not believe it when I heard that there was a chance to come back into the competition.'

Louis Walsh said after her performance: 'I don't know what to say, that was an amazing powerful vocal, I think now you're going to get to show your proper talent. I want you to go far in the competition.'

Tulisa continued: 'All the other acts have had weeks to progress, and you've come in now at the same level as them.'

Triumph: The audience exploded as Dermot O'Leary welcomed Amelia back to the show

'In cuckoo-land': A dazed Amelia tried to describe to Dermot how it felt to be back

Usually reticent Gary Barlow was especially generous, enthusing: 'Let's just recap. 48 hours ago you get the call. You come back to the X Factor, and you give THAT performance. That was absolutely sensational. From somebody who knows, the great British public love a comeback.'

When Dermot asked Amelia how it felt to receive such positive critique she stuttered: 'It's like cuckoo land! My legs were shaking, but I'm so happy to be back.'

Kitty Brucknell opened the show with Queen's Don't Stop Me Now. The singer said of the Lady Gaga versus Queen theme: 'I think this week was made for me.'

Who's laughing now? Kelly Rowland teased Gary Barlow about the fact that she now has three acts in the competition versus his two

Welcome back! Louis said that Amelia's gave an 'amazing powerful vocal'

Emotional moment: The teen was silent as the judges gave their verdict on her comeback song

Kitty had been devastated when Misha B designated to sing Born This Way by Kelly Rowland, but cheered up for her performance, which garnered favourable critique from the judges.

Tulisa opened with: 'That song suited you down to the ground, it was energetic, a bit camp,' while Kelly called it 'a great performance

Gary said: You've been in the bottom two, you've come back fighting. Louis does always pick good some for you, credit where credit's due. But wear less makeup next week, I feel like the less you do the more we'll feel.

And Louis added: 'Of all the people I've had to mentor, you're easily the best.'

Don't Stop Her Now! Kitty Brucknell opened the show with a rendition of Queen's classic hit

Perfect fit: Tulisa said that the energetic song suited Kitty down to the ground

Craig took to the stage next to perform Paparazzi by Lady Gaga. His confident if somewhat predictable performance was impressive, given he had been unable to take part in rehearsals earlier.
'I couldn't sing today, my voice completely went. I didn't rehearse on stage today, that was my first time,' he admitted after the song.

The judges gave him the thumbs up however, with Tulisa saying: 'That was your best performance ever. It's really rare, but you brought out the same emotions I felt in your first audition today.'

Heartfelt: Craig Colton gave a powerful performance of Lady Gaga's Paparazzi despite being unable to rehearse earlier in the day

Little Mix performed Lady Gaga's duet with Beyonce, Telephone.
Jesy, who has been the victim of cyber-bullying over her weight had broken down during rehearsals, but there was no sign of of nerves as she belted out the hit song.

Kelly gave a mixed response, saying: 'You started off a little shaky, but got stronger as the song progressed. But you really need to tighten up those harmonies.'

Gary brought the tone down when he kicked off: 'I am a little disappointed. I feel like it's getting a little predictable, the Pop/R&B song. I think it was too obvious a song choice- maybe Tulisa is running out of ideas for you.'

Too predictable? Little Mix gave a great performance as ever, but Gary felt they ought to try something a bit difference

But Kelly then interrupted to defend Tulisa's choice, declaring: 'they are a touch away from In Vogue,' and Tulisa added: 'I'm certainly not running out of ideas.'
Janet Devlin, who turned 17 today, admitted that she had been devestated by the negative comments on last week's show, and said that she would be stripping it back this week.
'It's all about the voice' she declared.'
She gave a soulful rendition of Queen's Somebody To Love which had Louis gushing: 'You are a recording artist, I can see you in the final now.'

Bit samey? Janet Devlin performed Queen's Somebody To Love, but some judges felt she is getting a little dull

Disappointed? Though Janet gave a soulful performance, she had hoped for more positive feedback after last week's negative comments

Tulisa was reserved with her commentary, musing: 'It was great, but I'm starting to feel you're a little one-dimensional. I'd have to be in a certain mood to listen to your album.
Gary took the negative angle further, saying: 'I hate to say it, but I'm starting to feel a little bit bored of you. I felt like you weren't making enough of an effort up there today.'
Kelly however defended her hopeful, retorting: 'This is the Janet we fell in love week.'

Another One Bites The Dust? It doesn't look like Marcus Collins will after his energetic performance- though Tulisa felt it was a bit too similar to his previous efforts

Always-energetic Marcus Collins came out with an enthusiastic rendition of Another One Bites The Dust, complete with sharp suit and sexy backing dancers.
Louis jumped in immediately with: 'You're going to be here next week', but Tulisa was less keen, commenting that she found his performance 'predictable.'
Kelly said she'd like to see him enjoy 'more freedom' on stage.
Gary however protested that the other judges were giving 'tactical critique' and that Marcus was 'already a pop star'

Ready-made pop star: Misha B gave yet another great performance with Gaga's smash hit Born This Way

Misha's performance of Born This Way got universally good critique, with Tulisa commenting her on her voice, saying it was easy to forget that she was 'one of the best vocalists in the competition.'
Even Gary didn't have a bad word to say- and commended Misha on her work ethic, saying that he'd noticed her devoting more time to researching her songs in the house than other contestants.
And Louis gave another 'classic' comparison, calling Misha a 'mini Chaka Khan.'