What The Judges Said: 'X Factor' Semi-Final

Find out what the judges had to say about the final five acts on The X Factor's semi-final.

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Rebecca Ferguson

'Show Me Love'

Louis: "Rebecca, what a start to the show, and a real club classic. Wow. I think that was your best performance. Liverpool should be really proud of Rebecca. You showed us love, you showed us emotion, that you can sing and dance. You've got everything!"

Dannii: "The mood in here is just electric! Liverpool, show her the love. That was brilliant."

Simon: "I'm going to be honest with you, when I heard that you were doing this song I was nervous and I’m not normally wrong. Tonight I'm happy to admit I am wrong. This was a side of you I've never seen before. So cool, so controlled. This was the first time you showed me you not only want to get to the final but win the whole competition."

Cheryl: "To see you from your first audition... actually, this song originally came from Rebecca, and it worked people. So proud of you."

'Amazing Grace'

Louis: "Rebecca, I've heard a lot of singers sing that song on this show. I think you're my favourite contestant ever, behind the scenes you're just so likeable, loveable, you've got star quality. You sang that so effortlessly. I think Liverpool has found itself a proper popstar. You deserve to be in the final. I think you're amazing."

Dannii: "That was pure class. There are people who not only perform well, but have something special. You really deserve to be in the final."

Simon: "That was absolutely stunning from beginning, middle to end. You haven't come in with a game. You've just chosen two contrasting songs that you wanted to sing. No tricks, pure sincerity. Beautifully sung. You are a class act, Rebecca."

Cheryl: "That absolutely sums to you. You are a sincere person inside, outside. You ooze class in every way. You're everything we want from a next popstar. You are amazing."

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Mary Byrne

'Never Can Say Goodbye'

Dannii: "Mary's got her mojo back! That was the campest thing I've ever seen, but I loved it. This was you at your best. So good to see you smiling, you deserve to be up there, you really do."

Cheryl: "That's such a club classic, I love to see you out of your comfort zone, it makes such a difference. Brian did well with the visuals, and well done."

Simon: "I don't think Brian was responsible for that. That was a scene from Louis's bedroom. I can see him putting on Gloria Gaynor and dancing around. It was fun. I would have liked to have seen something a little bit more contemporary. It was a tiny bit lazy on Louis's part."

Louis: "She's been sick all week with the flu, she's literally just out of her bed to perform. Mary, you sung your heart out. You're a diva up on that stage. Simon's trying to be negative. I want people to vote for Mary."

'The Way We Were'

Dannii: "Mary, that was a beautiful performance. And you look absolutely gorgeous. I don't know why you're crying after that performance."

Cheryl: "Your life has changed forever. You're not going back to the checkouts. You've got an amazing platform."

Simon: "This is not a time for tears, you should be very proud. I agree with Cheryl. That was much better than the first song, and you are a good singer. I think whatever happens, you're going to sell records, you're going to have concerts. You're not going back to Tesco's."

Louis: "I know that song means a lot to you because of your mother. You're an amazing role model for many women. I want those women to pick up the phone and vote because I want you in the final."

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Matt Cardle

'You Got The Love'

Louis: "Matt, you wouldn't have thought you were sick. The thing about you is that you're a true professional. You're consistent every week, and consistently good. Girls like you, boys like you, and I think you could win the competition."

Cheryl: "I absolutely love the fact you came out here and sang. Sometimes as an artist you get sick, it happens. You're a true professional and I'd love to see you in the final."

Simon: "Forget the fact you had flu, nobody cares. Brilliant choice of song, but you put your own flavour on it. Can I just mention I had a cold this week as well? I was in bed for two days. Having got to know you more this week, I want to vouch for the fact that you are a sincere, cool contestant."

Dannii: "Matt, you've got the love. Thanks for not letting me down. You were so worried about that performance, I know it was a real struggle for you to get up there and sing. Thank you, that was brilliant."

'Always A Woman'

Louis: "Matt, you are so going through to the final. Because every week you deliver. You haven't had one bad performance. That was a brilliant song choice Dannii, it was a very heartfelt performance, everybody loves you. You are in the final."

Cheryl: "I can see you feel so ill - if there's any reassurance I can give you, you've done it every week and you've got the support. I hope to see you in the final."

Simon: "I agree with Cheryl, you've got a lot of support. Unfortunately for me, tonight this was your worst song. You're not that safe artist, with a staircase and dry ice. It's exactly what you're not. I think it was a safe option, and I'm not a fan of the song."

Dannii: "I think that's what we call tactics, Mr Cowell. I think that what we've done is to go with your strength. Even without the cold and the flu he's had this week, that's an incredibly hard song to sing. Everyone that wants to see Matt in the final, it's vote time now."

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Cher Lloyd

'Love The Way You Lie'

Louis: "Little Cher, you've come a really long way. Loved the song choice. Loved staging by Brian Friedman, loved the styling. Great choice. Couldn't see anything wrong with that at all."

Dannii: "Cher, it just occurred to me at this moment it's been such an incredible journey for you from the first live show. I don't think you've hit the mark every time, but there's something so watchable about you. For me, that song didn't show the best of your vocals. But you're a great performer, and that it did show."

Simon: "Ever since the disaster of Beatles Week, you've come back really fighting. What I really admire about you is that you're fearless. You've had stick this week. I'm always going to stand up for you. You represent every teenager with a dream. If you didn't make the final after everything, it would be travesty."

Cheryl: "I think there's been a lot of confusion about you because your performances have attitude, you have stage presence. Backstage you're a 17-year-old girl with a dream like everybody else. I know you're scared, but I would love nothing more than to see you in that final."

'Nothing On You'

Louis: "Cher, a really clever song choice with Eminem and Rihanna. You sang really well, you rapped really well, and I loved staging. You know if we're looking for a new contemporary popstar, it has to be you. I love everything about you."

Dannii: "Such a tricky song choice tonight. The rapping was great, and you hit your stride right towards the end of the song. I would have loved to have heard you sing a ballad to get to the final."

Simon: "It was a risk taking on Eminem and Rihanna, but for me it worked. Again I don't think you sold out, you stuck to music you believe in. It was just you raw, doing what you do best. I’m a huge fan, you know that."

Cheryl: "We're not competing anymore, it's about showing what kind of an artist you would be once you’re past the competition. I hope to God people see what I see, and pick up the phone and vote."

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One Direction

'Only Girl In The World'

Louis: "Week after week you just get better and better. If there's any justice in the world, you absolutely should be in the final. You make a great boyband, you've gelled, you're best friends and there's something special about you."

Dannii: "I really want to see you guys as the next big boyband. The staging is normally very samey, but that one was brilliant, you really stepped it up for semi-finals."

Cheryl: "First things first, I've got to say I love you guys. I got to know you a little bit better this week because your mentor wasn't around, I thoroughly enjoyed getting to mentor you. I've got to say that song choice was a little bit dangerous because it's so current; it's Rihanna's latest single. You've got to make it as if Rihanna's never sung it, and I don't think you quite did that. Having said that, I hope it doesn't matter and I hope to see you in final."

Simon: "Someone's being tactical. I know it's going to sound biased, but I think the song choice was absolutely perfect for you. You didn't choose a safe song. It looked current, it sounded current. You are fantastic to work with. But I've got to say, people may think you are safe after all the applause. If you want to see these boys in the final please pick up the phone and vote."

'Chasing Cars'

Louis: "Liam, Zain, Niall, Harry and Louis, I know your names! There's something special about this band. I loved the song choice, the whole styling. You're really good friends, there's a great vibe about you, you're going to be the next big boyband. I hope all the young kids out there will lift their phones and vote One Direction into the final."

Dannii: "You've had a really tough week, and that was a really classy, classy performance. Never, ever had such a good band on The X Factor. Really good to see such a good band on the show."

Cheryl: "Was so impressed this week when you didn't have Zain and Simon wasn't around. You showed a real level of maturity as artists."

Simon: "Was told today by someone I work with, Tim, that you made the decision to get in at eight in the morning to give yourselves more rehearsal time. You picked yourselves up after a tough week. I am genuinely really proud of you as people as well as artists. Great performance, I’m really proud of you."

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