X Factor latest

The final four acts have been decided...

10:38 06 December 2010

Mary Byrne has become the latest act to leave the X Factor, after being voted off in Sunday's semi-final show.

The judges decided to send the former supermarket worker home after her sing-off against fellow contestant, Cher Lloyd.

The decision has sparked public outrage, as in former series', finalists have been chosen to go through by public votes alone.

Viewers have complained that the method was deliberately introduced so the judges could save Cher.

The programme's presenter, Dermot O'Leary, announced on Saturday's live show: "The vote is now open, and will close in tomorrow night's result show. Now it's all in your hands.

"It's your votes and your votes alone that can get your act safely through to the final."

Following the sing-off, Cheryl and Louis chose to save their own acts, with Dannii picking Cher Lloyd to stay on. The deciding vote fell to Cowell, who ultimately also chose to save Lloyd.

This leaves Louis Walsh as the only judge in the competition without an act.

Next weekend, finalists Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd, Matt Cardle and boy band One Direction will battle it out to become the winner of the X Factor.

Catch the X Factor finals, Saturday and Sunday night on ITV1.