X Factor 2010: Katie Waissel gets voted out... shortly followed by Wagner as judges decide to save Mary Byrne in double eviction night

By CHRIS JOHNSON

Dream is over: Wagner and Katie Waissel were booted off the X Factor tonight, missing out on a place in the semi-finals. Katie was the first to go, followed by Wagner after he faced Mary Byrne in the sing-off

Show's two most controversial contestants sent packing

Cowell's relief as attempts to 'derail' show with a Wagner win fail

Rebecca, Cher, Matt, One Direction and Mary gear up for semi-finals

Katie Waissel and Wagner were dramatically eliminated from the X Factor in tonight's double eviction show.

Katie was first to go after receiving the least number of votes before Wager and Mary Byrne faced the sing-off.

The judges then chose to send the 54-year-old Brazilian home, with Louis, Dannii and Cheryl sealing his fate.

Simon Cowell was clearly relieved with the decision, commenting that internet campaigns for Wagner to win and so 'derail' the show, had not succeeded.

Tough talk: Cowell said he was pleased efforts to 'derail' the show had not been achieved, referring to internet campaigns for Wagner to win and so make a mockery of the programme

Cowell said that they had 'handed the show to the public' and Mary had 'sang him off the stage' in the sing-off.

In a bid to stay, Wagner performed the classic 1951 Nat King Cole hit Unforgettable in a pared down performance with no scantily clad female dancers.

Next up was Mary, who let her vocal chords loose on the Shirley Bassey track My Life.
Louis - who mentors both Mary and Wagner - was asked first by host Dermot who he was sending home and he chose Wagner.

Decision time: Louis, Cheryl and Dannii all chose to send Wagner home after his performance, sealing his fate, before Cowell agreed with their choice

Sing-off: Mary Byrne and Wagner perform in a bid to stay in the competition and make next week's semi-finals

Moment of truth: Wager threw his arms in the air upon being told he had been given the chop as a relieved Mary watched on

'Mary this is your life, so the act I am choosing to send home tonight is Wagner.'

Making her decision, Dannii said: 'I want to keep the person in who has heart and soul and a fantastic voice so I am going to send home Wagner.'

Cheryl followed suit, sealing his fate, by voting to send him home.

Good news: Rebecca Ferguson was the first to be told she had made the semi-finals

Over the moon: Matt Cardle and mentor Dannii Minogue punch the air after getting the green light while, right, Cher hugs Katie after being told she was safe

Talking about their fractious relationship, after he told an undercover reporter she was 'just a girl from a council estate who got lucky', Cheryl said: 'Wagner I know me and you haven't always seen eye to eye.

'But you have been a gracious man and apologised to me and I accept that.'

Simon then agreed with the decision, clearly pleased that internet campaigns for Wagner to win the show and make a mockery of it had not succeeded.

Jumping for joy: Simon Cowell's only remaining act One Direction leap in the air after making it through

'I am happy with the decision because there were people out there trying to derail this show for whatever reason and tonight we have handed this show back to the public and, no disrespect Wagner, but tonight Mary sang you off the stage.'

Katie thanked everyone for their support after she was given the news by host Dermot O'Leary, saying: 'I am just grateful to have gotten this far.

'Thank you to everyone for keeping me in this long and I hope that I have inspired people and shown that no matter how many times you get knocked you can still keep going.'

Battle of the cleavage: Judges Cheryl Cole and Dannii both wore low cut numbers, see with Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh

Knock-outs: Cheryl wore a flowing gold dress while Dannii donned a draped black gown

Dermot announced the four acts that were safe first which were, 'in no particular order', Rebecca Ferguson, Matt Cardle, Cher Lloyd and One Direction.

Earlier in the show Dermot warned that the voting was 'very close'.

X Factor guest judge and Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger took to the stage with a spectacular showcase of her new single Poison, performing as a solo artist for the first time.

Spectacular: Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger and guest X Factor judge performed her new single Poison on the show, the first time she has hit the stage as a solo artist

Sultry: The singer dressed in a stunning red and black catsuit design, throwing off her trench coat midway through the performance

Laser show: The energetic performance, complete with laser show, wowed the judges and the audience

Dressed in a revealing black and red catsuit, the 32-year-old was backed by an army of dancers as she strutted her stuff around the stage. Her motor racing boyfriend Lewis Hamilton was in the audience too.

New British boyband The Wanted also performed on the show as did U.S. teen sensation Justin Bieber with a mash up his tracks Somebody To Love and Baby, which he appeared to mime.

Speaking after the energetic routine, the 16-year-old said he wasn't at all nervous about performing in front of Simon Cowell, saying: I wasn't that nervous. I was pretty cool, pretty calm, pretty collected.'

Teen sensation: Justin Bieber performed Somebody To Love and Baby, which he appeared to mime

Turning on the charm: He then flirted with Cheryl Cole, saying hello to her suggestively
He then promptly flirted with Cheryl Cole after thanking his fans for all their support.

'I want to say hello to hello Cheryl Cole, hello,' he said, waving at the judge from her seat and raising his eyebrows.

Cheryl reacted by laughing and looking a little embarrassed. Dermot then said: 'Cracking on to Cheryl Cole. What a precocious young man.'