Laura White voted off 'X Factor'

Rex Features

Laura White has become the fifth act to be eliminated from The X Factor tonight.

The 21-year-old singer found herself in the bottom two for the first time after performing 'Endless Love' in a Mariah Carey theme night. She was joined by Ruth Lorenzo, who had previously escaped elimination in the second live show.

White went on to sing Judy Garland's 'Over The Rainbow' in the final showdown in an attempt to impress the judges, while Lorenzo opted for Bob Dylan's 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door'.

Simon Cowell then complained that neither act had deserved to be in the sing-off, describing the result as a "joke". Called on to cast his vote, the music mogul chose to eliminate White, with Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh following suit. White's mentor Cheryl Cole was the only judge to vote against Lorenzo.

With White's elimination confirmed, Lorenzo burst into tears while Cole was left stunned and refused to comment on the result.

Minogue is now the only judge with three acts remaining in the competition. Her '25 and Over' category continues to be represented by Lorenzo, Daniel Evans and Rachel Hylton.

Meanwhile, Cole's act Diana Vickers secured a free pass to next week's show after laryngitis left her unable to perform tonight.

The X Factor continues next Saturday at 7.20pm on ITV1.