‘X Factor' Final: 5 After Midnight Eliminated, Leaving Saara Aalto And Matt Terry To Battle It Out

Someone had to fall at the final hurdle.

Saara Aalto And Matt Terry will battle to become the winner of ‘X Factor’ 2016 on Sunday (11 December) night, following the elimination of 5 After Midnight.

Louis Walsh’s last remaining act fell at the final hurdle during Saturday’s (10 December) show, which also included the much-hyped duets.

Louis Walsh and 5 After Midnight
Louis Walsh and 5 After Midnight
Syco / Thames / Dymond

The three remaining acts all received positive comments from the judges following their Wembley Arena performances, but ultimately, someone had to leave the competition.

It wasn’t just about the finalists though, and the first part of the two-night final also included a guest performance from The Weeknd, while Nicole Scherzinger, Adam Lambert and Clean Bandit duetted with Matt, Saara and 5 After Midnight respectively.

Matt couldn't believe the news
Matt couldn't believe the news
Syco / Thames / Dymond

Simon Cowell praised the former One Direction star following his performance with collaborator Steve Aoki, telling him: “I’ve known you for six years, and what you’ve just done - and the bravery - I respect you as an artist and as a person.

Saara's through!
Saara's through!
Syco / Thames / Dymond

“Your mum was so proud of you Louis and she was so looking forward to you tonight. She’s looking down now, you’ve done her proud.”

Honey G also made a surprise return, taking to the stage solo and treating everyone to a mash-up that included a snippet of her first solo single. Yes, she’s actually been signed to Syco Music, this is really happening.

‘X Factor’ continues on ITV1, on Sunday 11 December.

Reggie 'N' Bollie (2015)
What no one had anticipated at the beginning of 2015's 'X Factor' was that the series high point would come from Ghanian hip-hop star Fuse ODG and the comeback kid Craig David.

Still, this performance gave the final a much-needed jolt of energy, and the whole crowd was on their feet for the rendition of 'Re-rewind'.
Same Difference (2007)
For all this is our list of 'most memorable' performances, we had completely forgotten that this bizarre collaboration between Same Difference and Jason Donovan had even happened.

Still, it's worth including, if for no other reason than to see how far 'The X Factor' has come over the years.
Leon Jackson (2007)
Proving it helps to have friends in high places, this duet with Kylie Minogue is basically what pushed Leon Jackson - one of the most overlooked winners in 'X Factor' history - to victory, back in series four.
Jahméne Douglas (2012)
OK, we'll admit it. This performance is most memorable for the moment that Scherzy literally takes the microphone out of Jahméne's hand, when her own fails.
Sam Bailey (2013)
A year later, Nicole took to the stage once again, this time with eventual winner Sam Bailey.

And despite the passing of 12 months, she still clearly hadn't got the memo about letting the hopeful take the spotlight during the duet, rather than the guest performer.
Joe McElderry (2009)
Alright, it wasn't quite an Alexandra-with-Beyoncé-esque breakdown onstage, but Joe's excitement to be singing with George Michael is truly infectious.

"I can't actually believe that I'm going to introduce this man to the stage... the one and only George Michael" doesn't quite have the same ring to it as "ladies and gentlemen... Mr Elton John", though.
James Arthur (2012)
Another stand-out moment from Nicole Scherzinger, this time with a working microphone.
Olly Murs (2009)
Two people genuinely happy to be sharing the stage with each other. A genuinely lovely 'X Factor' moment.
Leona Lewis (2006)
Back when 'X Factor' guest duets were a new thing, Leona Lewis made a great addition to Take That's 'A Million Love Songs', shortly after the group reunited in 2006.

Simon Cowell later admitted that it was Gary Barlow's advice about not squandering Leona's talent that made him realise what a star she could be.
Little Mix (2011)
As much as a triumph for Tulisa as it was for Little Mix, this performance gave the former N-Dubz star a chance to prove to her detractors why Simon Cowell gave her the job on the 'X Factor' panel in the first place.
Matt Cardle (2010)
Matt's duet with Rihanna was so memorable the Daily Mail were still chatting about how 'steamy' it was six months later, and it even attracted complaints to Ofcom from viewers.
Alexandra Burke (2008)
Everything there is to say about this iconic TV moment has already been said.

But what we will add is this: the other two guest performers that year were Westlife and Boyzone. Westlife. Boyzone. And Beyoncé.

A bad day to be Eoghan Quigg, eh?
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