Dermot returns with the results of the ninth public vote of the series. Alexandra Burke performs live on stage her latest single. The cast from the hit series Glee and the Black Eyed Peas also perform. Dermot announces who has made the final leaving Cher and Mary in the bottom two and having to perform again in tonight's final showdown. The judges then decide to save Cher leaving Mary eliminated from the competition.
Each X Factor judge is in charge of a different section of singers on the show. The judges do not know what section of the competition they will be in charge of until the audition process has finished. Each judge then has to pick four acts to take forward to the live section of the show. Each week the two acts with the lowest amount of public votes have to sing again in a final showdown after which the judges decide who should be eliminated. Once there are only five acts left remaining it becomes left to the public to decide who should go.