X Factor: Stereo Kicks booted off show after losing out to Lauren Platt in public vote

Boy band Stereo Kicks were voted off the X Factor on Sunday night, leaving only four acts remaining.

They fell foul of the public vote after the judges were split between the eight-strong band and 17-year-old Lauren Platt.

Simon Cowell had the critical vote to either save the group or force a deadlock and defer to the public vote.

He said: "The act that sang the best on the sing off was Lauren," voting to keep her in the competition.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini stood by her act Platt but told the boy band they had talent and could still grow.

Louis Walsh also stood by his act, Stereo Kicks. Mel B voted in favour of the boys too, apologising to Fernandez-Versini before she said she had to vote for Platt to leave.

Some members of the boy band wept as their X Factor stint came to an end but said they were thankful to have been on the show.

Speaking on the Xtra Factor afterwards, Cowell told Walsh his poor song choice was to blame. But Walsh insisted: "I did 100 per cent the best I could and they know that. They'll tell you that later."

The four remaining acts are Platt, Andrea Faustini, Ben Haenow and Fleur East.

The show also featured the latest incarnation of Queen, who performed 'Somebody to Love' with Adam Lambert acting as the front man.