X Factor’s Relley C becomes third contestant voted off the show after ‘unfair’ twist

X Factor’s Relley C has become the third act voted out of the competition.

The singer was eliminated from the hit ITV show after a sing-off with Four Of Diamonds.

After losing her place in the competition, Relley said: "From the start I said if can make it to the first live show I’d be happy.

"I could have done with a bit more time but I’m happy I got this far."

Relley's mentor Sharon Osbourne added: "She's a strong girl and she's a fighter."

Before announcing the deciding vote, Simon Cowell said: "I could make a case for both of you.

"Relley, it wasn't your best night and girls, it's been difficult as you've only been here a couple of weeks.

"But I'm going to send Relley home."

Relley's elimination comes after the X Factor came under fire from outraged viewers on Saturday after Dermot O’Leary announced a shock new twist to the public vote.

Rather than opening the lines at the end of each episode once all the acts have performed like usual, viewers could now vote for their favourite contestants before they’ve even taken to the stage.

Dermot said: “Now we’re well into the competition we can start voting right about now because the vote is now open.

“It’ll remain open for the next 24 hours until tomorrow’s results show.”

Despite many viewers branding the change as “unfair,” the tactic is nothing new to the X Factor.

ITV bosses have previously adopted the same rule midway through previous series of the hit show.