THEY'VE still got the X Factor!
Teen sensation Ella Henderson and boyband member Micky Parsons are still in the running for the coveted X Factor crown.
And it's no surprise following their performances on Saturday night's live show.
It was Club Classics week – and both Tetney teenager Ella and Cleethorpes-born Micky, of band District 3, nailed their performances.
The previous week had been a tough one for District 3, who found themselves in the bottom two.
But they won the dreaded sing-off against Gary Barlow's contestant Melanie Masson to sing another day – and as the judges all agreed, they came back fighting.
Their Madcon/Chris Brown mash-up saw Micky leading the three-piece in a confident, energetic performance which even saw him perform a rock-star style leap from a high platform.
He personally thanked creative director Brian Friedman after receiving nothing but praise from the four judges.
They all agreed that being in the bottom two had probably been the best thing that could have happened to them.
Tulisa, who is mentoring the girls, including Ella, told Micky and his bandmates Greg and Dan: "As bad as it sounds, I am actually happy that you were in the bottom two last week – it gave you the kick up the bum you needed to come back fighting."
Gary Barlow described them as "the revelation of the night."
He said: "Wow. I'm so impressed. Coming out in the bottom two acts was the best thing to happen to you."
Their own mentor Louis Walsh, told them: "You did it tonight. We have not just got one new boyband (fellow act Union J), we have got two great boybands now in the competition."
Nicole Scherzinger, who is looking after the boys' category, added: "You're giving the other groups a run for their money after that performance. It felt I was watching another group. I'm so proud of you boys."
Both acts had a nervous wait on Saturday – District 3 were the 10th of the 11 remaining acts to perform and Ella was last.
But it certainly didn't affect her – the 16-year-old's performance of Candi Staton's You Got The Love once again brought praise from the panel.
It was only Gary who found fault in her first dance routine on the X Factor, which she had said in her pre-show interview she was really looking forward to.
Friedman had said during rehearsals: "Ella Henderson can dance!"
But Gary said he felt the "Steps-style" dance moves had "cheapened her act".
He did however tell her first: "Another great vocal performnce."
But his criticism started a row with the other three judges, who reminded him that she is "only 16".
Mentor Tulisa argued: "She's 16!".
And Louis Walsh retorted: "Gary Barlow, she's got the X Factor. In five years' time she's going to be an international star and we will be watching your clip back.
Nicole's response to Gary was: "Maybe that's just because some people can't dance.
"She's a class act.
"Ella, I want to find something to critique you on, but I just can't."
Tulisa said: "You're 16 years old, let's not forget how young she is."
Gary, who referred to her as "the Adele of the competition" responded: "When she sings, it's magic."
Ella told host Dermot O'Leary, who had pointed out to Gary that she was probably too young to know who Steps were: "I think this week I just wanted to have a bit more fun and feel 16."
Her earlier VT had shown her delighted reaction to a tweet from superstar Adele after last week's performance.
The Someone Like You singer had tweeted about how much she had enjoyed her performance of Minnie Ripperton's Lovin' You.
Ella's father, Sean Henderson, said: "We are so pleased that Ella has got to the next round and she has been putting her all into the show.
"We thought her performance was amazing and we know she has a great music career ahead of her."
And Micky's mum, Carol Parsons, told the Telegraph: "This is fantastic for Grimsby and Cleethorpes to have two fantastic talents still in the competition.
"I hope everyone enjoyed District 3's more upbeat song with a bigger production involving dancers – I thought it was fantastic."
Last night's results show kicked off with an ensemble performance – this week led by Ella – of Ain't Nobody.
And during the tense results section, Ella didn't have long to wait as she was the second act to be announced.
District 3 were the seventh to be called out by host Dermot O'Leary.
The sing-off between the bottom two acts – Gary's Kye Sones and urban group MK1 saw it taken to deadlock for the third week running with two votes each from the panel. MK1 got the fewest public votes and was the third act to leave the competition.
See www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/xfactor on Saturday and Sunday night and Monday's paper for the latest X Factor news. Send your messages of support to Ella and Micky by filling in the online form. A selection will be printed in the Grimsby Telegraph.Members of Clee Academy of Dance backing Ella Henderson and Micky Parsons (Video)
Micky Parsons' District3 make it in final seconds as Ella Henderson sails on through
Ella Henderson: X Factor is nerve-wracking but such an incredible feeling
Send your messages of support for X Factor stars Ella Henderson and Micky Parsons
Youngsters in Ella Henderson's home village of Tetney get behind singing star (Video)
Bobsleigh world champ Nicola Minichiello supporting Ella Henderson and Micky Parsons (Videos)
School's support for X Factor stars Ella Henderson and District 3's Micky Parsons (Videos)
X Factor hopefuls Ella Henderson and District 3 still going for gold
Ella Henderson blows away X Factor competition
Ella Henderson and District 3 make it to next X Factor round
Download a 'Vote for Ella and Micky' poster (PDF format)
