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
Rachel Adedeji
Danyl Johnson
Olly Murs
Jamie Archer
Have your say on the final 12 by using the story comment facility below