Fan favourite Anthony hugged mentor Louis Tomlinson while Scarlett Lee shared a hug with Simon Cowell as she was told the news by host Dermot O'Leary
X FACTOR'S Acacia and Aaliyah got the axe from last night's semi-final, narrowly missing out to Anthony Russell, Scarlett Lee and Dalton Harris for a place in next week's series showpiece.
Robbie Williams' last remaining group lost out to Scarlett in the sing off, but took the news better than their fans, with many feeling the girls should have beaten Anthony to the final three.
Upset by the girls' exit, they wrote on Twitter: "Beyond devastated about Acacia & Aaliyah. They are what the X Factor is meant to be finding-raw, talented young stars of the future. Please Rob as their mentor, make sure that’s not the last we see of these amazing girls and that they stay singing together as they’re incredible.
"@acaciaxaaliyah_ Gutted Acacia & Aaliyah lost there place in @TheXFactor final next week!! Hope it’s not the last we hear of them girls #Shutdown #AcaciaAndAaliyah #XFactor2018.
"Acacia and Aaliyah should have been in the final."
Anthony Russell dropped to the floor in shock tonight as he made the show's final, alongside Scarlett Lee and Dalton Harris.
During last night’s show, Brendan Murray and Danny Tetley were given the boot from the competition.
The Benidorm pub singer and the Irish teenager won the fewest amount of public votes and were immediately left the competition.
Dalton and Anthony couldn’t hide their joy as they breezed into the final - with Anthony hugging mentor Louis and then dropping to the stage floor.
But while Acacia and Aaliya sang their hearts out during this evening’s episode, they were left out in the cold by the judges.
Scarlett burst into tears after finding out she'd made it through and was consoled by her mentor Simon Cowell.
Acacia and Aaliya told Dermot O'Leary they had loved taking part in the competition and vowed to come back bigger and better than ever.
Just minutes later, Dermot led Anthony, Dalton and Scarlett out of the studios and told fans they would be travelling around the country on their battle buses.
There were plenty of fans elated at the decision, praising the judges for making the choices they had.
One tweeted: “The correct decision! Scarlett is way too good to miss out on the final.”
Another said: “I'm so proud of Louis and the lads ! Like the two of them are in the final!!”
While a third told their Twitter followers: “In my opinion this is probably the greatest final 3 since 2010. So excited for the final.”
Earlier in the episode, he became locked in an awkward spat with Ayda Field after admitted he wanted to put all four acts through.
Simon made the comments after watching Anthony Russell belt out Oasis’ hit Don’t Look Back In Anger.
Looking at his fellow judges, Simon said: “It really surprised me what happened last night but the four that are through, the public got it right. If I had my way I would change the rules.
“And put all four through to the final. That’s how I feel.”
Loose Women star Ayda looked annoyed and asked: “Can we do that if you’re going to change the rules?”
The X Factor final airs next Saturday at 8pm on ITV.
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