It’s the Saturday night we have all been waiting for – the first installment of The X Factor live shows 2011!
With the news of a dramatic ‘X Factor Twist’ taking place some time this weekend, this evenings episode is one you don’t wont to miss!

After last weeks ‘judges houses’ show left us on a cliff hanger, wondering what sort of ‘twist’ was set to torment the hopeful contestants, rumours were rife that the ITV bosses were starting a tradition and brining back four more contestants to jazz up each category – in fact the twist was quite the contrary…

Eager to see talented Jade Richards grace the X factor stage in the live shows, were were left jaw dropped went it was announced that instead of welcoming in more acts, four unlucky beginners in each category are facing the chop – for good!

But unusually it is not the public vote doing the drity, that job lies with the judges who each have to axe their ‘own act.’ Eeek!

So you see, you didn’t want to miss tonights performances, but if your unsympathetic boss has got you working late, your stuck in traffic or out on a boozy bender don’t worry – here are tonights X Factor live show highlights..

This weekend we saw the X Factor judges Kelly Rowland, Louis Walsh, Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos chose songs for their talents fitting the chosen theme – Britain Vs America.

First to grace the stage was the talented Amelia Lily, 16, fresh from Kelly’s girl category.

Looking almost like a Charlotte Church double with baby pink hair Amelia took on a rock chick persona and sung Michael Jackson infamous Billie Jean.

Dressed in a tinfoil cape next it was Louis’ over 28 act Johnny Robinson, 45, who strutted the stage singing Cher’s hit single ‘Believe’. Unimpressed straight talking Gary was left stony faced and accused his fellow judge of making Johnny a ‘circus act.’ OUCH!

Tulisa’s feisty girlband Rhythmix took the third spot and embraced a Nicki Minaj rapping hit. Considering they were manufactured on the X Factor they really looked and felt like a real fresh band. Although most of the judges thought the same, girl band guru Kelly thought the girls lacked chemistry and harmonies.

Cheeky chap Frankie Cocozza was Take That Gary Barlow’s first act. His back combed hair even bigger than ever and donning smoky eye make up (a metrosexual look Tulisa picked up on) Frankie impressed with his performance, although it surprisingly lacked energy compared to the previous acts.

Sophie Habibis was Kelly Rowland’s next act. Insecure that her personality wasn’t big enough to shine on a demanding show like this, you never would have known, dolled up like the infamous Katy Perry she sang her hit single ‘teenage dream’ with an original sophisticated twist – easily my favorite act so far! In ore of her dramatic transformation the judges backed her talent all the way with Louis branding her with a ‘great recording voice.’

Singing top track by British band The Kinks Louis’ army man Jonjo took to the bright lights and rocked out to ‘you really got me.’ So far he got the biggest battering from the judges, with Kelly saying he lacked energy and Gary blasting the song choice.

Tulisa’s loveable Essex girls 2 Shoes were next inline for the groups. They looked comfortable on set riding in a barbie pink convertable. Miserable Gary compare it to a bad karaoke night in Romford.

The first contestant to tear up in the shows interview was James Michael. Although paired with is comfort blanket guitar, the young hopeful still issued a couple of bum notes, not that they will put off his extensive fan base, but will he last the chop tomorrow… Louis compared him to a busker in Covent Garden.

Acting like a true star already, Misha Bryan daringly took on one of the biggest songs of the year, Adele’s ‘Rolling in the deep.’ Adding her inventive rap into the mix and dressed up as the queen of newspaper she stole the show. She blow away the judges and was labeled ‘incredible’ by Gary.

Despite badly clashing in the X Factor house Nu Vibe still managed to make it to the stage. Singing a dance number ‘Beautiful People’, not even the heavy beat could protect us from their grating harmonies…vulnerable?!

Liverpudlian hairdresser Marcus Collins sporting a bowtie boogied down to another dance number while lucky hopeful Sami Brookes livened up our sets with her version on Yomanda – You’re Free (to Do What You Want To Do) – it got me out of my chair, need I say more…

Tulisa’s final boyband appropriately named Risk followed suite with their awkward harmonising, but that didn’t stop Louis falling love – but then he does seem to have a thing for boybands.

Funny man Craig Colton wowed the judges not just with his dramatic weight loss but also his sweet vocals. Kelly confessing it was ‘the most emotional performance.’

Now the moment we have all been waiting for – Kitty Brucknell! The budding diva graced the stage with a classic Queen number. With surrounding fans, a moving platform and smoke machines she gave a entertaining performance of ‘Forever.’

Janet Devlin was the last performance of the night, but she was well worth the wait! With her new look, porcelain skin and fiery red locks she looked like a perfect popstar, and she didn’t disappoint.

Tune in tomorrow for the live results X Factor show.