X Factor - Kimberley Southwick voted off
22 October 2007 - Brummie barmaid Kimberley Southwick became the first contestant voted off X Factor 2007 during a controversial show on saturday night.
Tensions were high in the X Factor studio as the 12 finalists performed for the first time live. Kimberley received a mixed response after opening the show with "It's raining men".
Leon Jackson, Alisha Bennett, Same Difference and Daniel De Bourg were among the contestants who fell foul of the judges' comments but it was the public vote which counted for everything.
Leon was saved, then Daniel... Emily... until In the end it fell to Kimberley and Alisha to fill the dreaded bottom two spots.
Their mentor Sharon told presenter Dermot O'Leary, " I don't think I can be allowed to say what I think because I'd be banned from national television forever".
"I don't bave any advice for them cos what I've said so far has been no good. I think I'm going home now Dermot". And with a hug and a kiss, she left her two girls to sing for
survival.
But it looked grim for Kimberley as she faltered on the first words, full of emotion, despite an all-round better effort.
Following her on to the stage was Alisha, looking like she already knew she was going home, but she too pulled off a belter for her survival nuumber - singing Gabrielle's
"Dreams".
Sharon leaves the show
So it came down to the judges, minus one. Dermot explained to a confused auditence, "Sharon can't choose between her acts. The final vote will be between three judges, as Sharon has decided to leave the night"
"Leave the show!" shouted Sharon. Was she for real? Read the full story about Sharon's exit >
So asking the remaining three judges for their votes, Dermot was told...
Simon - "Because it is a singing competition, I'm sending home Kimberley!"
Dannii - "Can I sit this one out too? I can't choose... I have to choose...Alisha"
And so the casting vote fell to Louis - they are both terrific, fun girls. It's the fun factor versus the talent factor - the act I'm sending home tonight is... Kimberley".
And the 19-year-old could do no more but return to the X Factor house to pack her bags; for our favourite brummie barmaid, the X Factor journey ends here.
