Niki Evans voted off 'X Factor'

Niki Evans missed out on securing a place in the X Factor final last night.

The former dinner lady competed against Leon Jackson, Rhydian Roberts and Same Difference with performances of Fleetwood Mac's 'Songbird' and Whitney Houston's 'One Moment In Time'.

Niki's rendition of 'Songbird' received a mixed reception from the four judges. Sharon Osbourne commented that the song was "too laid back" for such an important stage in the competition, while Dannii Minogue described her performance as beautiful. Asked for his opinion, Simon Cowell said: "I call it more pretty than beautiful."

Cowell did admit that he was impressed after Niki belted out 'One Moment In Time', which was also described as "a brilliant, brilliant performance" by Osbourne. Niki's mentor Louis Walsh told her: "You deserve to be in the final of the competition."

However, in the results show, it was announced that Niki had received the fewest number of viewer votes and would be eliminated.

Asked for her reaction by host Dermot O'Leary, Niki said: "I'd love to thank Louis for picking me, and Simon and Sharon and Dannii."

The X Factor final airs next Saturday at 7.15pm on ITV1.

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