Spencer Sutherland has been kicked off 'The X Factor'.

Spencer Sutherland

Spencer Sutherland

The 25-year-old singer - who hails from Pickerington, Ohio, United States - has been booted out of the competition as the live shows returned on Saturday (28.10.17).

Speaking after his exit, he said: "I just want to thank everybody so much. I want to thank the UK for taking me on with open arms. It means a lot. I want to thank you guys so much - thank you Louis. I want to thank all my friends [the other contestants] up there. Thank you so much."

A new year brought a new format for the show and there was no deadlock or sing-off, with the public having the final say on who they wanted out.

New for 2017, the top act of the night was revealed to be Grace Davies, who as the winner of Saturday's show, will battle it out with Sunday night's winner for a chance to win a money-can't-buy prize - to see pop superstar Pink perform at Madison Square Garden in New York and even meet the star backstage.

The first live show of the series pitted Louis Walsh's Boys category against Sharon Osbourne's Girls with the wildcard from each category - Leon Mallett and Alisah Bonaobra - grabbing their second chance with both hands.

Simon Cowell was missing from the show after a fall at his London home on Friday (27.10.17) and host Dermot O'Leary and Simon's fellow judges Nicole Scherzinger, Louis and Sharon sent their well wishes to the music mogul before joking about "which one of them did it".

Dermot said: "Oh you're loving it you three! So, fess up, the question the whole country wants an answer to, Who put the banana skin at the top of the stairs?"

His comments earned a gasp from Louis, who quipped: "No, Dermot, I was boiling the milk. I was boiling the milk downstairs. They were upstairs, so it was one of these two."

Before Nicole jokingly confessed: "It was a team effort. We both did it."

And Cheryl Tweedy also made an appearance at the show - there to cheer on her boyfriend Liam Payne, who sang a rendition of his new single 'Bedroom Floor' - and she sent her best wishes to Simon too.

She told Dermot: "First of all, I really miss you Simon. I know you'll be watching at home. You're very, very missed and we love you."

'X Factor' will return to ITV on Sunday (29.10.17), where the Overs and the Groups will fight to stay in the competition.

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