Irish singers Janet Grogan and Niall Sexton have conquered the dreaded Six Chair Challenge on the X Factor and are through to the Judges' Houses stage of the competition.
On Sunday night's episode, Dubliner Grogan was successful in securing a spot at Judge's Houses, having won over Sharon Osbourne with a rendition of Ariana Grande's One Last Time.
It was a case of second time lucky for the 28-year-old singer, as she made it to the exact same round back in 2014, with then-mentor Simon Cowell replacing her with actor Robert Pattinson's sister, Lizzie.
At the time Cowell's decision caused outrage and he later confessed on Twitter: “I should have kept Janet. My mistake.”
Now mentored by Osbourne, Grogan is part of the Over 25 category and will join the judge in her home with the hopes of impressing enough to secure a spot at the Live Shows.
There you have it. I'm going to @MrsSOsbourne home! #Xfactor aaaaaaaaahhhhhhh pic.twitter.com/G3MSg3q7kr
— Janet Grogan (@JanetGrogan) September 25, 2016
22-year-old barman from Derry, Niall Sexton wowed the judging panel with his powerful rendition of Nicole Scherzinger's Run - a song she penned after her break up with Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton, on the Saturday night episode of the series.
Cowell was quick to address the elephant in the room, but also praised Sexton for his emotional performance, saying: “Niall, what is the song called? Why do I think of Lewis Hamilton? I think you have an incredible voice. I really do”.
Fleur East, who signed to Cowell's label Syco Music after placing as a runner-up on the reality music show in 2014, also praised the Irish singer on Twitter, saying she loved his voice.
Niall Sexton! Absolutely love his voice. #SixChairChallenge
— FLEUR EAST (@FleurEast) September 24, 2016
Fellow Derry man, 21-year-old photographic assistant Conor McGinty, failed to hit the right notes with Cowell during his performance of U2's Every Breaking Wave. Cowell said he "didn’t like the song at all" and "thought it was really boring”.
McGinty was initially awarded one of the places available on the Six Seat Challenge but was switched out in a dramatic episode which saw Nicole Scherzinger select her last six in the Boys category.
As much as I love @FreddyParker98, I'm mad at Nicole for choosing him over @ConorMcMusic. She should've picked both guys. #XFactor
— Aljonae Nelson (@philly1gleek) September 24, 2016
Still hoping we might get you back on #xfactor on a #WildCard @ConorMcMusic way too talented to loose! #BringConorBack 💖🍀💖☘💖🍀
— Joan Clements (@JoanMClements) September 24, 2016
@OmedaJillie @ConorMcMusic Really hope he is a wildcard! Some of the acts that got through tonight were just awful though! D:
— Nat (@Natarliaaaar) September 24, 2016
Following the show, Conor took to Facebook to express his disappointment, but said he was grateful for the experience.
He posted: “Guys it is what it is ... I’m absolutely gutted - The song didn’t show what I’m all about & I suppose that’s down to bad song choice on my behalf.
“I’ve had an absolute ball of a time and the show has opened so many doors for me already, boosted my fan base & they have been nothing but great to me.
“I started singing four years ago .. I’m 21 .. Plenty of time ahead & hopefully someone out there somewhere can take a chance on me!! Thank you all for the incredible support over the last few months, you have all been incredible!! Hope I did Derry proud .. Onwards & upwards.”
Meanwhile Louis Walsh's chaotic selection for the groups last night saw him initially give a chair to Irish group Everyday Solution (EDS) only for him to give their place to another group.
However despite the disappointment of failing to make it to Judges Houses the Mayo lads - Aaron, Brian, Stephen, Felix and Aaron - are continuing to pursue their dreams and will shortly be back on tour nationwide with a new name, Tall Trees, and a move into "rockier music". Their new single Forgive and Forget is available to download and stream now.
Louis turned the Six Chair challenge into a drawn out game of musical chairs after sending home girl band Girl Next Door then bringing them back following chanting from the audience.
A Simon Cowell told host Dermot O'Leary that Walsh's dithering "was chaos, I thought it was bad two years ago but this was worse."
