The eight-piece boyband were singing the Michael Jackson hit ‘You Are Not Alone’, which proved to be more appropriate than ever when they were joined on stage by comedian Lee Nelson, who charged on stage and mimed along with the group.
Ever the professionals, the band just kept on singing until Lee was escorted off the stage by a security guard.
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Lee Nelson storms the stage
The judges were full of praise for Stereo Kicks for continuing with the performance despite the incident, with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini admitting: “I don't know how I would have dealt with what you just dealt with.”
Simon Cowell also joked to the group’s mentor, Louis Walsh: “One minute you want to turn to them into a five-piece, now you want to turn them into a nine piece!”
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Security remove Lee Nelson from the stage
Explaining the incident on his official Twitter page, Lee wrote:
A spokesperson for ‘The X Factor’ explained: “During Stereo Kicks performance this evening, there was a brief disturbance on stage, which was immediately dealt with by security. The performance continued as planned.”
Other highlights from Saturday night’s show included Simon telling Paul Akister that he had been like a “dementor” in previous weeks, and Stevi Ritchie’s showstopping rendition of Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’.
Lee’s stage invasion echoed a similar incident years beforehand, when Calvin Harris ran on stage with a pineapple on his head while Jedward performed, reportedly earning himself a lifetime ban from ‘The X Factor’ in the process.
Meet The Members Of Stereo Kicks
Barclay Beales(01 of07)
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More astute 'X Factor' viewers might recognise Barclay from last year's series, where his yodelling provided much excitement for Nicole Scherzinger. However, he was ultimately ditched at boot camp, where he yodelled his way through a rendition of Aretha Franklin's 'Respect', to the chagrin of Sharon Osbourne, who branded his performance "a joke". (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Jake Sims(02 of07)
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Jake's first audition was notable because of the appearance of his younger sister, who sat on the panel next to Simon Cowell.Unfortunately since then he's been in the newspapers for a very different reason, after a rap, recorded on a mobile phone, featuring racial slurs believed to be performed by Jake surfaced online. (credit:Thames TV/Syco/Corbis)
James Graham(03 of07)
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James's first audition saw him telling Simon Cowell he "doesn't like animals", only to then reveal to the music mogul that he "could learn to like them". He's since claimed he only said this because he was nervous in his audition.Which rather begs the question... does James like animals? Or doesn't he?! WHICH IS IT?! (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Tom Mann(04 of07)
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Avid 'X Factor' fans may also recognise Tom from last year's series, where he delivered one of the most somber and depressing versions of 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' we've ever heard, even reducing fellow auditionee Giles Potter to tears.Not quite what Cyndi Lauper had in mind, we don't think... (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Charlie Jones(05 of07)
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At just 14 years old, Charlie is the youngest member of the band, but also one of the most popular, especially after his unique take on the Spice Girls classic 'Wannabe' at the arena auditions. (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Casey Johnson(06 of07)
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We're guessing Casey is there to fulfill the "cheeky chappy" role in the band, given that he performed an Olly Murs track at his first audition and recently claimed he's "never failed" to get a girl's phone number on a night out. We can now doubt look forward to plenty of #banter from this #lad... (credit:YouTube/The X Factor)
Reece Bibby(07 of07)
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He can sing, he can play the guitar - and he's still only a teenager.In fact, Reece has even performed 'Wonderwall' on stage with Liam Gallagher... but we're sure performing 'Who Do You Think You Are' for Mel B during 'Spice Girls vs Girls Aloud' week is still going to have its appeal... (credit:Thames TV/Syco/Corbis)