X Factor 2011 UK

Sami Brookes third finalist out

Sami Brookes has become the latest X Factor hopeful to have her dreams of stardom dashed as she was booted out of this year’s competition.

The 31-year-old’s exit was decided by her own mentor Louis Walsh as she faced Kitty Brucknell in the sing-off.

Sami, from Rhyl, North Wales, failed to impress with her performance of Cher’s If I Could Turn Back Time on the show’s “rock night”, which was dismissed as karaoke and slammed as “boring” by Gary Barlow.

And after performing the Aretha Franklin hit (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman in a bid to carry on in the contest, she was voted off by Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland and Walsh.

Only Tulisa Contostavlos voted to send home eccentric Kitty Brucknell, who performed a version of Lady Gaga’s hit The Edge of Glory.

After the sing-off, Gary Barlow praised both acts, saying: “Can I first just say, what a sing-off tonight? Both acts, unbelievable. This is tough. Sami, that voice is undeniable, but I have always found you a little bit dated. Kitty, you know I’m a big fan of yours, I’m excited by you.”

Kelly Rowland said: “May I just say you both are so talented so whether it’s here on the X Factor or it’s anywhere else you both can sing, and open up your mouths and make people completely look at you just when you sing. Sami, I absolutely adore you, Kitty I think you are a wonderful entertainer.”

Tulisa agreed with Gary Barlow, saying: “What a sing-off, two amazing performers, artists, voices. But I’ve got to vote with my heart and the person I love to listen to the most, and the person I most connect with on stage – so the act I’m sending home tonight is Kitty.”

But it was Louis who sealed Sami’s fate, telling host Dermot O’Leary: “Dermot, I love both girls, they were incredible in the sing-off. I don’t know why I’ve two acts in the bottom two, I really, really don’t. I’m not going to cop out and let it go to deadlock, I’m going to go with my heart, and the person I have to send home tonight is Sami.”

Sami said the experience had been “amazing”, telling the audience: “I may not be able to sell one million albums as Gary said, but I’m going to sing for the rest of my life and thank you so much, thank you for the opportunity.”