The 12 finalists in The X Factor 2009 take to the stage in the first of the live shows
After weeks of auditions, bootcamp and emotion-packed moments at the judges' houses - the live finals of The X Factor 2009 are here!
The 12 remaining acts sang a host of classics from 'musical heroes' - with Rachel Adedeji kicking off with Robbie Williams' Let Me Entertain You
The teenager won praise for her singing - but we couldn't take our eyes off her dancers!
Girl group Kandy Rain had some serious hair action going on
Simon and Louis approved - but the girls weren't too keen on their skimpy outfits
Olly Murs was the first of Simon's over 25s to take to the stage
Rikki Loney sang Amy Winehouse - but the judges were divided
However Stacey Solomon impressed with her version of Coldplay's The Scientist
The 20-year-old single mum is viewed as a dark horse in the competition
Next on stage were female trio Miss Frank
The girls did well - with Cheryl admitting they were her favourite group in the competition
Then it was time for more big hair - courtesy of Jamie Archer
The rocker sang T-Rex's classic Get It On - complete with backing band!
Lloyd Daniels, meanwhile, got his own dancer
Is he trying to persuade people to vote for him perhaps?
Welsh lass Lucie Jones is the bookies' favourite - and was also a hit with the judges
However Irish twins John and Edward were described by Simon as a "musical nightmare"
Joe McElderry, the last of the boys to perform, wowed the judges
And last but not least, Danyl Johnson took to the stage
Although the judges accused him of being cocky, Simon said it was one of the best performances he had ever heard
Sunday's results show kicked off with a group performance
That stage won't be looking quite so crowded in a few weeks time....
And last year's winner Alexandra Burke also appeared....
The 2008 series champ performed her new single Bad Boys
Robbie Williams also appeared, performing his comeback single Bodies
Twins John and Edward were the first act to make it through to next week
Simon Cowell was, er, delighted to hear this news
With ten acts safe, Rachel found herself in the bottom two....
....but in the end it was female quartet Kandy Rain who became the first act to leave
It was an emotional moment for Rachel as she hugged the Kandy girls goodbye. One act down, 11 to go.....
MOST READ
