Saturday night saw Ricki Lake and Olivia Olson become the first acts to be eliminated from the X Factor: Celebrity.
After landing in the bottom three alongside Martin Bashir, the chat show queen was the first to be booted off the show after receiving the lowest votes.
Simon Cowell then made the final decision between Martin and Olivia, with the music mogul sending the Love Actually star home – a move that didn’t go down well with ‘disgusted’ viewers.
Gone: Saturday night saw Ricki Lake and Olivia Olson become the first acts to be eliminated from the X Factor: Celebrity
This series of the ITV singing competition had several changes from the usual version, including no sing-off between the bottom two contestants.
Deciding between the two acts, Nicole Scherzinger chose to save her own act Martin, while Louis Walsh opted to keep his act Olivia.
The deciding vote was down to Simon, who declared that he wanted to save the person that he thought the viewers would want to see progress in the competition.
After learning her fate, Olivia broke down in tears, stating: ‘I’m not okay’ after host Dermot asked how she felt.
Bad decision? The deciding vote was down to Simon, who declared that he wanted to save the person that he thought the viewers would want to see progress in the competition
However, viewers at home were left fuming over Simon’s decision as he appeared to vote for popularity over actual talent.
Taking to Twitter to air their views, one person wrote: ‘This is why people turn off X Factor, total joke that Olivia should be sent home.’
While another declared: ‘Someone should remind Simon Cowell that the X Factoris a singing competition. He’s been handing out fashion advice and putting through people who can’t sing. The man has actually lost his marbles. No wonder Little Mix left Syco.’
Decision time: Deciding between the two acts, Nicole Scherzinger chose to save her own act Martin, while Louis Walsh opted to keep his act Olivia
Devastated: After learning her fate, Olivia broke down in tears, stating: ‘I’m not okay’ after host Dermot asked how she felt
‘Disgusted’: Fans were NOT impressed with Simon’s decision to send Olivia home over Martin
A third said: ‘I thought this was meant to be a singing contest @SimonCowell ??? I won’t be watching this anymore what a load of bull that decision was.’
‘I have just watched the live shows and I am truly disgusted. They sent somebody home that can really sing but who hadn’t chosen a good song over somebody who can’t sing one note in tune. It’s ridiculous that Simon Cowell would bluntly choose popularity over real talent,’ ranted a fourth.
With a fifth person adding: ‘Cowell has lost the capacity to make a professional decision. To put someone who cannot sing through, based on popularity and an emotional backstory? I like Martin as a human but come on. Cowell has become TOO SOFT!’
The vote came after Ricki won the least amount of votes from fans, with the star jokingly declaring afterwards: ‘I guess I have to stick to my day job!’
Fuming: However, viewers at home were left fuming over Simon’s decision as he appeared to vote for popularity over actual talent
Gracious in defeat: The vote came after Ricki won the least amount of votes from fans, with the star jokingly declaring afterwards: ‘I guess I have to stick to my day job!’
Did his best: Martin survived the judges vote, with Simon opting to put him through following his rendition of Danke Schoen by Wayne Newton
Sad to leave: Chat show host Ricki was eliminated after a shaky performance and mixed comments from the judges
Meanwhile in the show, and after being booted out during the auditions, before being suddenly reinstated, Jenny Ryan made it through to the next round after Nicole Scherzinger gave out her first ‘safe seat’.
However, viewers watching at home were left baffled by the shock new chairs twist.
At the beginning of the show, Dermot revealed that three acts would be awarded one of three chairs by their mentors.
The acts, one from each category, that managed to bag a chair would automatically be sent through to the next round, without facing the viewer vote.
And following her dazzling performance of Rise Like A Phoenix by Conchita Wurst, Nicole thought it was only right to offer The Chase star, 37, a seat.
Gushing over the quiz Queen, the former Pussycat Doll said: ‘Oh my gosh!
Through to the next round: Jenny Ryan made it through to the next round after Nicole Scherzinger gave out her first ‘safe seat’
Star performance: However, viewers watching at home were left baffled by the shock new chairs twist
Very impressed: following her dazzling performance of Rise Like A Phoenix by Conchita Wurst, Nicole thought it was only right to offer The Chase star, 37, a seat
‘I Don’t know where to start, I was blown away. The performance was ruthless and roofless because you blew the roof off this place.’
After branding Jenny a ‘Sexy vixen’, she added: ‘this was your moment so that’s why I’m giving you my safe seat!’
Dermot then explained that Jenny’s seat meant she automatically got a pass through to next Saturday’s show and will not face the public vote.
Confused: However, viewers at home claimed that they were baffled by the new twist, which vaguely resembled the six chair challenge from the civilian series
However, viewers at home claimed that they were baffled by the new twist, which vaguely resembled the six chair challenge from the civilian series.
One person tweeted: ‘Why are they not doing the chair save at the END of the show once they’ve heard all the acts?! Seems pretty stupid to do it during seeing as they can’t swap anyone if someone better sings later on.’
While another asked: ‘I don’t understand. Are only 3 acts going through?’
‘What’s this safe seat business? All of these new rules, i’m confused. #XFactorCelebrity,’ questioned a third viewer.
With another grumbled: ‘I’m so confused by these chairs! Anyone care to explain??’
Success: Joining Jenny in bagging a seat were former EastEnders star Johnny Labey, who blew everyone away with his own version of Show Me Love by Robin S
Success: While Rugby boy band Try Star earned themselves a chair following their Medley to Pony by Ginuwine and Old Town Road by NAS X
Close to tears: Elsewhere on the show, Vinnie Jones was left emotional after getting a standing ovation from the judges following his performance of Everybody Needs Somebody
Showman: The hard man performed in his late wife Tanya’s honour, after she passed away in July this year, days before the auditions
Joining Jenny in bagging a seat were former EastEnders star Johnny Labey, who blew everyone away with his own version of Show Me Love by Robin S.
While Rugby boy band Try Star earned themselves a chair following their Medley to Pony by Ginuwine and Old Town Road by NAS X.
Elsewhere on the show, Vinnie Jones was left emotional after getting a standing ovation from the judges following his performance of Everybody Needs Somebody by The Blues Brothers.’
The hard man performed in his late wife Tanya’s honour, after she passed away in July this year, days before the auditions.
Unfortunate: After a heartfelt performance that left Nicole in tears, Megan was unfortunately slated by Simon over her outfit choice
Slated: Despite loving her own original song performance, the mogul declared that he ‘hated’ the former TOWIE star’s attire, saying this isn’t that ‘Essex thing’ and it was ‘distracting’
All white: Glee star Kevin McHale, who took the stage by storm with his electrifying version of Good As Hell by Lizzo, while Coronation Street beauty Victoria Ekanoye dazzled as she belted out Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
Showstopping: Victoria looked sensational in a white, long-sleeved gown as she belted out her song
Sizzling: V5, who now have a new member, showed off their dance skills during their steamy routine
And after a heartfelt performance that left Nicole in tears, Megan was unfortunately slated by Simon over her outfit choice.
Despite loving her own original song performance, the mogul declared that he ‘hated’ the former TOWIE star’s attire, saying this isn’t that ‘Essex thing’ and it was ‘distracting’
However, Dermot was quick to defend her, telling Simon: ‘She can wear what she likes!’
Gutted: Max and Harvey were a tad disappointed after harsh criticism from the judges over their song choice
Flawless: The Love Island stars, under a new name of No Love Lost, performed an original song which went down very well with the judges
Last week’s second round of auditions was not without controversy as The Chase star Jenny failed to make it through to the live shows.
The flame-haired star’s elimination by judge Nicole caused shocked fans to brand the show a ‘fix’, with several threatening to boycott the series altogether.
However, in a shock U-turn, the judges overturned their decision and have allowed the quiz Queen to return to the ITV competition and battle it out against the other acts.
Shock: Last week’s second round of auditions was not without controversy as The Chase star Jenny Ryan, 37, failed to make it through to the live shows
Another chance: And after much deliberation, Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Nicole decided that Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan deserved a place in the lives
After the initial choice had been made, the judges sat down to once again consider the celebrities’ performance.
And after much deliberation, Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh and Nicole decided that Jenny ‘The Vixen’ Ryan deserved a place in the lives.
Speaking of the change, Nicole said: ‘Jenny was just brilliant at her audition in LA. That voice of hers is one of a kind, and she’s an amazing person to get to know. So it was such a tough decision to make.
Changed their minds: in a shock U-turn, the judges overturned their decision and have allowed the quiz Queen to return to the ITV competition and battle it out against the other acts
‘After a lot of discussion we all agreed we had to put her through. The Overs are gonna smash it this year!’
While an overwhelmed Jenny added: ‘I’ve loved every moment of The X Factor and I’m delighted to be able to get the opportunity to perform live.
‘The response from the public has been amazing – what an incredible experience. I’m so pleased it’s continuing!’
He’s back! Vinnie Jones was sent thorough to the X Factor: Celebrity despite being absent from the audition stages after he pulled out for ‘personal reasons’
As well as Jenny’s comeback, ex football star Vinnie Jones was sent thorough to the live finals, despite being absent from the audition stages after he pulled out for ‘personal reasons’.
The actor, 54, was originally due to appear on the ITV programme, however he decided not to take part following the death of his wife Tanya in July earlier this year.
During last Saturday’s episode of show ahead of the announcement about who had made it through, Simon revealed Vinnie would still take part.
The music mogul rang the on-screen hard man and asked if he would still be willing to feature in the live episodes of the show and he said ‘yes’.
Simon told him: ‘We’d love you to be on the live shows this year, we’d welcome you and give you all the help you need.’
Triumphant return: During last Saturday’s episode of show ahead of the announcement of who had made it through, Simon revealed Vinnie would still take part
