X Factor judges today selected the 12 acts who will go through to

compete in the live finals of the hit show.

The ITV talent show judges spent the weekend agonising over which of the

remaining 24 acts would be culled.

The early favourites from this year's show have all made it through,

with front runners Rachel Adedeji, the Grimes brothers and Stacey

Solomon all making the cut.

For the lucky 12, the pressure will now build in earnest as they face

the nerve-shredding prospect of appearing live on the nation's

television screens.

Londoner Adedeji has been backed by last year's winner Alexandra Burke,

while Essex student Solomon's version of the classic ballad Over The

Rainbow, won the praise of pint-sized megastar Kylie Minogue.

Kylie told her: "I sung that song every night on tour for a while and

it's one you don't want to mess up but for me it was flawless."

Welsh teenager Lloyd Daniels also made it through despite judge Cheryl

Cole voicing her concerns about his tender age.

She told the 16-year-old: "When you came in yesterday and sang, I was

shocked. You really delivered but I think what concerns me with you is

mostly your age.

"I was 19 when I was given my opportunity and I struggled to cope with

it," said the Girls Aloud singer.

"It involves a lot of maturity and there is a massive responsibility. I

feel the responsibility because you are only 16."

Deciding who was to go through to the final 12 proved just as stressful

for the judges as the contestants awaiting their decision.

Even ice-cool Simon Cowell felt the nerves ahead of today's decision.

He said: "It's absolutely hideous when you've actually got to sit in

front of somebody who has trusted you and you've got to say to them 'now

it's a no'."

 

The 12 acts who will go through to the live finals are;

 

Miss Frank

Kandy Rain

John and Edward

Lloyd Daniels

Joseph McElderry

Rikki Loney

Lucie Jones

Stacey Solomon

Rachel Adedeji

Danyl Johnson

Olly Murs

Jamie Archer

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