The X Factor (UK series 12)

Finalists
Key:
 * – Eliminated

Week 1 (11/12 October)

 * Theme: Number ones
 * Group performance: "Anything Could Happen"
 * Musical guests: Pharrell Williams ("Gust of Wind") and Taylor Swift ("Shake It Off")s" />

The wildcard acts were announced at the beginning of the show with Jack Walton chosen by Cowell for the Boys, Lola Saunders was chosen by Walsh for the Girls, Stevi Ritchie was chosen by Fernandez-Versini for the Over 25s, and Overload Generation were chosen by Mel B for the groups.

Judges' vote to eliminate
 * Cowell: Ella Wilson – stated that he thought Abbott's showdown performance was better than Wilson's "shockingly bad" performance, and that he had more belief in Abbott as someone he could work with; he reiterated his statement on The Xtra Factor, saying he wasn't surprised about Wilson ending up in the bottom three and that Abbott's saving was a "lucky escape" on his doing
 * Fernandez-Versini: Timothy Abbott – backed her own act, Ella Wilson
 * Mel B: Ella Wilson – gave no reason
 * Walsh: Ella Wilson – stated that Abbott was's showdown performance was far superior than Wilson's

Week 2 (18/19 October)

 * Theme: 1980s music (billed as "I Love the 80s")
 * Group performance: "Love Runs Out"
 * Musical guests: Jessie J ("Bang Bang") and Maroon 5 ("Animals")


 * Owing to the addition of four wildcard contestants, two acts were eliminated from the series' second results show. The three acts with the fewest public votes were announced as the bottom three and then the act with the fewest votes was automatically eliminated. The remaining two acts then performed in the final showdown for the judges' votes.


 * Judges' vote to eliminate
 * Fernandez-Versini: Betty Brooks - backed her own act, Isla DeWilde
 * Walsh: Betty Brooks - believed DeWilde gave a "haunting" performance
 * Mel B: Betty Brooks - based on the final showdown performance
 * Cowell: Isla DeWilde - backed his own act, Betty Brooks