X Factor contestants were whittled down to the final 12 on Sunday, following the trips to the Judges' Houses.
There were a few shrieks and lots of tears as the Judges made their decisions, emphasising that this was - you guessed it - the toughest year ever, because of the quality. But somehow they managed it, despite Tulisa crying nearly as much as the girls she had to let go.
X Factor Judges' Decisions
XF_J_HOUSES-2_Tulisa_AMY_15(01 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_DERMOT_2_03(02 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_UNION_J_09(03 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_TULISA_LUCY_010(04 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_Tulisa_Jade_11(05 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_TULISA_08(06 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_NIicole_Nathan_13(07 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_Nicole_Rylan_14(08 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_Nicole_James_12(09 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_NICOLE_JAKE_10(10 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_Nicole_ Jahmene__08(11 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_Louis_Times_Red_07(12 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_LOUIS_TELLING_UNION_J_05(13 of14)
Open Image ModalXF_J_HOUSES_2_Gary_Melanie_04(14 of14)
Open Image ModalAnd in a new twist for this year's show, each of the Judges - Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Tulisa and Louis Walsh - chose an additional wildcard from their categories to face the public vote.
The winning act will join the twelve finalists in the first live show of the series.
The four wildcard acts are: Christopher Maloney (Overs), Adam Burridge (Boys), Amy Mottram (Girls); and Times Red (Groups).
Viewers can vote for their favourite until midday on Saturday 6 October, and the winner will become the 13th finalist on the live show.
Host Dermot O’Leary announced the twist on Sunday's show after the twelve finalists were revealed.
Here are the final 12 who don't have to worry - yet. Who gets your early vote?
X Factor Finalists
Rylan(01 of12)
Open Image ModalJames(02 of12)
Open Image ModalJahmene(03 of12)
Open Image ModalLucy(04 of12)
Open Image ModalJade(05 of12)
Open Image ModalElla(06 of12)
Open Image ModalUnion J(07 of12)
Open Image ModalMK1(08 of12)
Open Image ModalDistrict 3(09 of12)
Open Image ModalMelanie(10 of12)
Open Image ModalKye(11 of12)
Open Image ModalCarolynne(12 of12)
Open Image Modal