X Factor hopeful Jade bows out

X Factor hopeful Jade Ellis has become the fourth act to leave the singing competition after three judges opted to save boyband Union J.

The 25-year-old, who was mentored by Tulisa Contostavlos, said: "To me it's just been an amazing experience, I thank you guys for all your critique and my life starts from today."

Tulisa joined her act on stage and said "maybe" she should have "pulled some more ballads out of the bag for Jade". She said: "We took a risk together and I apologise if it is my fault."

Tearful judge Louis Walsh was the first to announce his vote for Union J after the sing-off. He said: "Dermot, I'm the mentor for Union J, I love them and I don't want to lose them, I have to send Jade home."

Tulisa quickly voted to save her act, but after deliberation, Nicole Scherzinger favoured Union J.

She said: "Jade, you are a beautiful, beautiful young woman, you are a strong young woman who has been through so much. You are one of my favourite voices in the competition. With a tone like that I know no matter what happens you're going to get a record deal because you are a recording artist."

Gary Barlow said Union J's performances so far had been "good" but not "exceptional". He said Jade was a "phenomenal vocalist" but wondered if he "wanted it" more for her than she did and therefore decided to send her home.

During Saturday night's Halloween-themed show Gary caused an uproar when he told Tulisa she had "fag ash breath" after she criticised the song choice of his act Christopher Maloney.

On Sunday night the N-Dubz star stepped out on stage with a deliberate nicotine patch on her arm in defiance.