Six Chair Challenge time!

Up first, Simon Cowell’s girls – and if they hadn’t realised it yet, tonight they found out that X Factor is tough, with a thick skin every bit as necessary as a great voice.

Olivia Garcia X Factor
Olivia Garcia (Thames/Syco Entertainment)

Going with the usual tactics, Simon started by giving every person who auditioned a seat, leaving him with a dilemma once he’d seen the first six girls.

Louis Walsh also went with tradition in his comments to first singer Soheila Clifford.

Caitlyn Vanbeck, who’s already been named one of this year’s favourites, didn’t disappoint and took the sixth seat.

Then it got awkward as girls started being booted – particularly Samantha Lavery, who had been a strong contender until tonight.

https://twitter.com/samanthahynes93/status/779769477399515136

In went returning acts Gifty Louise and Emily Middlemas, though – much to everyone’s delight.

And it seemed they’d saved the best for last with Olivia Garcia, who had all six contestants shaking in their seats. Of course, she got through, and Simon has his group for Judges’ Houses.

Here they are, Team Simon.