Niki loses out on X factor final

Staffordshire's Niki Evans has failed to make it through to the final on ITV's X Factor on Saturday night despite getting praise from all four judges.

Niki, aged 34, from Polesworth, near Tamworth, was booted off the talent show by the public despite being one of the bookies favourites to win.

Throughout the contest, Niki, who works at Polesworth International Language College, had avoided being in the bottom two. On Saturday she performed Songbird and raised the roof with her own version of Whitney Houston's One Moment In Time but despite her efforts she will not be making it through to the final. Next week's final will see favourite Rhydian Roberts sing-off against Leon Jackson and brother and sister duo Same Difference.

Niki will now be re-adjusting to normal life back with her husband Darren and their two sons Morgan, aged 12, and Jonah, aged 10. Niki revealed even if she had got through to last night's final – she would have given her place to Leon Jackson.

The school catering manager thinks Leon is the worthy winner of the hit series.

She said: "Leon is only five years older than my oldest son. There is no way I would take it off a young kid like that."