X Factor judge Kelly Rowland was forced to wave goodbye to one of her “star” girls, as both Misha B and Janet Devlin were placed in the bottom two.

The Destiny’s Child singer broke down into tears as the show’s host Dermot O’Leary asked her to make a decision between her girls. Unable to choose, Kelly abstained from voting, forcing Janet Devlin out of the competition.

Choking up Kelly said: “I know how great these two young ladies are… Janet I know how much you want it… I absolutely love you and adore you.”

She continued: “To be honest I can’t make this decision… I have to pass it”, meaning the decision of who was to leave the show was based on Louis and Tulisa’s majority vote, which was to send flame-haired Janet home.

However, Kelly seemed more upset about the outcome than Janet, who – after hearing the news she was being axed – said: “I can’t wait to get out of this show and work on my music.”

Kelly congratulated her, and said: “Her first audition will go down in history as one of the most show-stopping ever… everyone needs to keep a look out for this girl, she’s a star.”

Janet sang Snow Patrol’s Chasing Cars in the sing-off, returning to her previous level of performance that wowed the judges in her first audition.

However, her departure was partially expected tonight after she was slated by the judges on Saturday’s show. Gary Barlow called her first song a “real mess” after she sang Hanson’s classic Mmmbop and forgot her words.

Misha B, however, received great applause for her breathtaking performance of Killing Me Softly during guilty pleasures and heroes week.

The remaining acts through to next week’s semi-final are now Amelia Lily, Misha B, Gary Barlow’s remaining boy Marcus Collins and Tulisa’s reaming act Little Mix.

Also on tonight’s show, Olly Murs performed with the Muppets and Jessie J put in a powerful performance of her ballad Who You Are, she told Dermot afterwards singing on X Factor is “emotional”.