Liverpool's Rebecca Ferguson auditioned with more than 200,000 people from across the UK, but now she is down to the final four after making it through to the X Factor final.
Next week's finale could see the mum-of-two from Anfield earn a £1m recording contract. The 24-year-old will be up against bookies' favourite Matt Cardle, One Direction and Cher Lloyd, who won the semi-final sing-off against Mary Byrne, who was sent home by the judges.
The themes of the weekend were 'club classics' and 'song to get you to the final'. Rebecca stole the show as she kicked off the semi-finals with the iconic Liverpool dance anthem by Robyn S, 'Show Me Love'. Her second song was a breathtaking performance of the Christian hymn 'Amazing Grace', backed by a choir.
Before she took to the stage, she said: "I miss my kids so
much and I'm so determined to do well tonight. I'm going to
put my heart and soul into it.
Judge Louis Walsh raved: “Rebecca, what a start to the show,
and a real club classic. Wow! I think that was your best
performance. Liverpool should be really proud of Rebecca.
You showed us love, you showed us emotion, that you can
sing and dance. You’ve got everything.
"You're my favourite contestant ever. You're likeable, loveable,
you've got star quality. I think you're amazing."
Simon Cowell told Rebecca: "This was the first time you showed me not only want to get to the final but win the whole competition and I like that. You were so controlled, cool, your vocals were on the money. Absolutely stunning, beginning, middle and end. No tricks, pure sincerity. You are a class act."
Mentor Cheryl Cole said "You are such a sincere and beautiful person, inside and out. When you sing you ooze class and beauty. You're just amazing."
The judges were not the only ones to praise the beautiful singer this week. Black Eyed Peas superstar Will.I.Am said: "You'd think that Rebecca was hanging out with Marvin Gaye every day, she's so soulful. I'd love to work with her at some point. But I'm torn between who I want to win between her and Cher."
In an interview with Konnie Huq on ITV2's Xtra Factor show, Rebecca revealed that she couldn't believe she'd made it so far, adding: "I'm extremely grateful for everyone that's voted for me. I don't know if I can win, I just want the best person to win and I don't know if that's me but I hope so. I'd love to sing with Whitney Houston next week... or maybe even Wagner!"
Rebecca will line up against the other hopefuls in the show's climax next weekend, with surprise superstar guest duets.
