'X Factor's Rachel loses her confidence

X Factor star Rachel Hylton has admitted that she needs to have more faith in her abilities if she wants to progress further in the competition.

The mother-of-five escaped elimination in last night's show after competing against Austin Drage in the final showdown. It was the first time that either act had been in the bottom two.

Speaking later on ITV2's Xtra Factor spinoff, Hylton confirmed that she had struggled with the show's Disco theme and lost her confidence as a result.

She explained: "After performing and the judges' comments, I just thought to myself: 'I'm going to be in the bottom two tonight'. So maybe it's me for being a bit pessimistic and not having enough faith, but I'm here."

Later, a tearful Hylton appeared reluctant to be interviewed as she revealed that being away from her family was starting to take its toll.

"It had to happen to someone. Just to cut a long story short, bottom line is I had to survive today and that's what I feel I'm good at," she told show host Holly Willoughby. "Throughout my whole life I've always been able to survive.

"I don't want to talk right now. I want to go home to my real friends, my real family - I just want to hug my kids. That's all I want to do right now - I just want to go to my family."

Hylton's mentor Dannii Minogue has advised her to "re-evaluate" if she wants to impress the public with a "phenomenal" performance.