Luke Friend is kicked off the X Factor as Sam Bailey and Nicholas McDonald are left to contend in the talent show final

X factor contestant Luke Friend had his talent show dreams dashed when he was voted off the show taking 3rd place in the singing competition, after an exciting first half of the 2013 final.

lukefriend

by Closer staff |
Published on

But the peppy singer hinted that we haven’t seen the last of him, bowing out with: 'I'm going to keep writing music and doing something I love - and writing songs for you guys!’

Earlier in the show, Luke dueted with Ellie Goulding, performing a rendition of her hit ‘Anything Could Happen.’ He also gave a well-received performance of ‘We Are Young’ by American band Fun.

Ellie and Luke had great onstage chemistry.
Ellie and Luke had great onstage chemistry.

Ellie said about her duet partner: 'I did give him a bit of advice beforehand but he doesn't need it… Luke's such an amazing, cool lovely person and he's a real star.’

Sam Bailey gave a knockout performance of Lady Gaga’s ‘Edge of Glory’ with Louis singing her praises, saying: 'You're a class act, you're a world-class act.

Nicole and Sam showed off their vocal stylings in a powerful duet.

Sam then took to the stage with X Factor judge Nicole Scherzinger to sing a duet of Dreamgirls hit ‘And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going.’ The pair gave a touching embrace as they finished off their powerful performance.

Nicholas performed alongside Westlife’s Shane Filan, singing ‘Flying Without Wings.’ He also gave a lively performance of Robbie Williams ‘Candy.’

Nicholas and Shane performed 'Flying Without Wings.'

Gary was critical of his performance whereas the other judges praised him, with Nicole telling him that there wasn’t a song that he couldn’t sing.

But, it wouldn’t be the X Factor final without a blast from the past. Wagner, Rylan, Kitty Brucknall and Jedward all rocked up to relive their novelty performances. Kitty Brucknall even entered Wembly Arena in true Miley fashion, on a giant glitter ball!

Kitty came in on a glitter ball!

The two remaining finalists expressed their excitement and amazement at making seeing the competition right through to the end.

Nicholas said: 'I actually cannot believe it to think that I was just a normal boy from Scotland and now I'm on the X factor final.'

Sam revealed that it had been a long time coming, saying: 'I'm just so overwhelmed, this has been last chance saloon, its been 20 years and I've finally got here.'

Who will you be voting for to win The X Factor?

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