Act quits X Factor

Contestant pulls out despite reaching the final...

08:54 27 September 2011

X Factor contestant Goldie Cheung has confirmed that she has quit the singing competition.

The 48-year-old Tai Chi instructor revealed that she was missing her home and family too much to continue with the show. 

She said in a statement:

"I have decided to withdraw from the competition because I knew I would miss my family so much. I wish all the finalists the best of luck and look forward to watching them every week.

"The X Factor has been a fantastic experience and very challenging for me at times. I was very grateful to Louis for offering me a place in the final, however."

Judge and GoldieÂ’s mentor, Louis Walsh said of her decision:

"It was such a shame Goldie had to pull out of the competition; I thought she had great potential to entertain viewers in the live shows.

"But it has given someone else an amazing opportunity and although it was a hard decision of who to replace her with, I am pleased with my choice.”

It is not yet clear which of the formerly axed acts will be given a second chance to perform in the competition's live shows in Goldie's place.

It had been widely reported that Goldie had made the decision to quit the show because she felt that she was being treated as a 'joke act' by the judges.

The Daily Mail reports that a source said her decision to leave was triggered by discussions with her husband about the show apparently treating her less like a serious contender and more like a ‘figure of fun’.

Catch the X Factor Judges' Houses round this Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 7.30pm on ITV1.