'X Factor' obituary: Ruth Lorenzo

Ruth Ella-Kate Lorenzo became the eighth contestant to be voted off X Factor tonight.

The Spanish-born warbler, who managed to escape the judge's axe on two occasions, was kicked off the show after picking up the lowest number of viewer votes in the latest live round.

Lorenzo's impressive vocal range and emotional singing style earned plenty of compliments from the judges in the early rounds of the competition and her rendition of 'True Colours' in the judge's houses round brought Dannii Minogue and Emma Bunton to tears.

After performing a rousing version of Berlin's 'Take My Breath' in the first show, Lorenzo fell into trouble during Michael Jackson week, when she sang 'I Just Can't Stop Loving You'. However, her rendition of 'Purple Rain' in the sing-off was enough to see her stay.

Following successful performances of 'Summertime' and 'No More Tears' in weeks three and four, the PR consultant ran into trouble during Mariah Carey week. Lorenzo's take on 'My All' found her in the bottom two with show favourite Laura White, but thanks to an emotional performance of 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door', she survived once again.

As the competition went on, Lorenzo's confidence grew and in week's six and seven, she won the approval of the judges for her covers of 'Angels' and Take That's 'Love Ain't Here Anymore'. During Take That week, Lorenzo admitted to being starstruck by meeting Gary Barlow and Mark Owen.

During the course of the show, Lorenzo often faced criticism from Simon Cowell about not singing in her native tongue. The 25-year-old said that it would be "boring" if she sang in Spanish every week and claimed that she was looking for acceptance from the British public.