Kelly refuses to vote as Janet exits the X Factor

Kelly Rowland abstained from voting last night as Janet Devlin became the latest act to exit this year’s ‘X Factor’. It was the second time this series that Kelly was called upon to choose between two of her Girls, but after phoning in the decision from her sick bed last time around, tonight the former Destiny’s Child star refused to vote altogether.

In all truth it was a predictable night from the ‘X Factor’ studios that was only lifted by the presence of the Lloyd family, who were the real stars of the show as they appeared in the audience to help promote Together For Short Lives, the organisation that will benefit from this year’s charity single.

Janet was odds-on favourite to exit after forgetting her words on Saturday night’s show, and the writing was on the wall for the youngster from Northern Ireland when the results of the public vote revealed she was in the bottom two alongside perennial survival singer Misha B.

Amidst the usual procession of glitz, glamour and rapidly intercut backstage footage that makes up the Sunday night show, Louis Walsh gave a glimpse of what might be to come for Janet by saying:

“We’re two weeks away from the final and she totally messed it up.”

It was a statement echoed by fans online who widely slammed the flame-haired starlet for forgetting the words to the annoyingly catchy Hanson whine ‘Mmm Bop’. But perhaps we’re being too hard on the 17 year-old. After all when I was that age I could barely muster a monosyllabic grunt in polite company, let alone the courage to perform on stage in front of millions of people.

Nevertheless perhaps Janet’s crime was not a momentary lapse in memory, but a dramatic tail off in the quality of her performances over recent weeks. Her best bits montage at the end of the episode reminded us of just how strongly Janet had started the competition, and she re-captured some of that sparkle with a performance of Snow Patrol's ‘Chasing Cars’ as she sang for her survival.

She was followed by Misha B - who must be running out of survival songs by now – as she belted out a typically accomplished performance of Irene Cara’s ‘Out Here On My Own’. Both girls were superb but in the end only one could make it through to the semi-final and there were few surprises when Dermot O’Leary turned to the judges to decide on who’d be leaving the competition.

First up was Louis Walsh who said:

“It’s getting tougher and tougher every week…But taking everything into consideration, judging on last night’s two performances, the sing-off tonight and the person who I think can bring the most to the competition; tonight the act I’m sending home is Janet.”

Tulissa then followed suit, re-iterating the now familiar Sunday night spiel about Misha B, saying:

“I am going to base these performances on who has the most potential, who will sell records and sell out arenas. The act I am sending home is Janet.”

Dermot O’Leary - whose name has become increasingly apt given his penchant for stage routines with scantily clad dancers – made it clear that Kelly had to make a decision or else majority would rule and Janet would leave the show. In spite of the consequences the girls’ mentor, who said she was feeling “sick” at the thought of making a decision, abstained. She added:

“I just know how great these two young ladies are, I have watched them grow and seen how hard they worked. Janet I admire you as a musician and I absolutely love you and adore you... Misha you just want it so bad and I can’t make the decision, I love these girls.”

And so that was that. Janet looked upset, but took the decision with good grace saying: “I am obviously very confused. I just can’t wait to get out of the show and just start getting my music out.” Kelly then reminded us that even though she was leaving the show her act still had a bright future ahead of her, she  said: “Janet will be a recording star. She has such a unique voice and a beautiful gift and everyone needs to keep a lookout for this girl. She’s a star.”

So there you have it. Did the right person go? Can Misha B really still go on to win the ’X Factor’ after so many weeks spent in the bottom two? And what about Olly Murs and them Muppets eh? (if anyone’s confused, Olly was the one who didn’t have skin made of felt).

Let us know your thoughts on last night’s proceedings in the comments section below.

[See also: X Factor verdict on omg!]