The X Factor Battle Tightens After Double Elimination

It was the end of the road for girl group Lakoda Rayne and singer LeRoy Bell on The X Factor USA this week, with both acts sent home following a double eviction. Lakoda were eliminated after receiving the lowest amount of votes, but a shock twist saw LeRoy and Marcus Canty battle it out for survival.

Crooner LeRoy performed a stirring rendition of Don't Let Me Down by The Beatles, while Marcus opted for Christina Aguilera's 'You Lost Me'. The judges were unable to separate the two acts and sent the vote to deadlock, after which host Steve Jones told LeRoy he had pulled in fewer votes than his rival. The 59-year-old was gracious in defeat though, afterwards talking of getting a band together and heading out on the road, saying, "It was dramatic. I feel good though. I'm in a good place right now. I think I accomplished what I came to do which was to gain a lot of fans. What I wanted to do was to get my name out there so I can tour more, sell records." Despite their immediate elimination , Lakoda Rayne were also in high spirits, saying, "It would've been nice to sing for survival but whatever happens, happens...I think for everybody in this competition, it can happen at any time. And I know this isn't the end for us".

The departure of Lakoda Rayne and LeRoy Bell leaves just seven acts left in the competition, but another double elimination scheduled for next week will leave just five. Melanie Amaro, who sang R Kelly's 'The World's Greatest' on Tuesday, is the current frontrunner.