X Factor shocker as The Risk and Johnny Robinson are voted off in double elimination... and Frankie

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It was a big shock in The X Factor with show favourites The Risk and Johnny Robinson being voted off in a double elimination.

Flamboyant Robinson was voted off after going head-to-head in a sing-off with fellow Over-25s act Kitty Brucknell.

And surprisingly, Brighton wildboy Frankie Cocozza managed to stay another week, despite his panned performance on Saturday night.

His mentor Louis was forced to choose between Robinson and Brucknell, admitting he thought the blonde singer was more likely to get a recording act.

After it was announced that Robinson was going home, both Walsh and Gary Barlow shed a tear for the popular finalist.

Choosing between his acts, Walsh said: 'They've been incredible to work with. They were both incredible in the sing-off. I have to pick the person who I think in the real world who would get a recording act and the act I'm gonna have to send home is Johnny.'

Joining Robinson on stage, who appeared to accept his fate with good humour, Walsh added: 'This guy is a brilliant singer, he's a great character, he's gonna have a great career. I hate to see him go home.'

Robinson said: 'I wanna thank everyone who have got behind me. All the judges, everyone out there in the UK who accepted me for just being me.'

Unemployed Robinson, 45, sang The Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody, while Brucknell, 26, sang Kelly Clarkson's Beautiful Disaster.

After the sing-off Tulisa said: 'I get along with both of you really well. I've got to go with the act that I look forward to watching perform each week so the act I'm sending home this week is Johnny.'

Kelly lamented: 'The act that I'm looking to that is gonna provide us with something more in the competition is Johnny.'

Although Rowland's decision cemented Robinson's departure, Barlow added: 'Johnny is one of the nicest people in this competition.'

While the pair fought for survival in a sing-off, boy band The Risk were eliminated straightaway after receiving lowest vote.

The Risk's exit came as a shock as only a week ago they were second favourite to win the show by the bookies.

But perhaps their recent change of line-up after Ashford Campbell, 16, replaced Ashley Baptiste may have affected their chances.

When asked how they felt by Dermot O'Leary, The Risk singer Derry Mensah said: 'I dunno what is it. I'm just happy we're here together.'

Charlie Healy added: 'We're The Risk, we're just gonna carry on,' while bandmate Andrew Merry said: 'It's been a honour to sing with these guys.'

Tulisa's girl band Little Mix were the first to find out they were through until next week, followed by the new bookies favourite Marcus Collins.

Despite landing in the bottom two last week, Manchester singer Misha B was thrilled to find out she was safe for another week.

There was shock when Cocozza got through, with the singer evidently surprised he had managed to survive another week after his performance of The Black Eyed Peas' I Gotta Feeling the previous night.

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An unhappy Simon Cowell has also spoken to the contestants for the first time, according to The Mirror.

Cowell - who is still an executive producer of the show although he no longer sits on the panel - is said to have told the remaining finalists that he has concerns about their "quality and dedication", challenging finalists to "demonstrate [that] you are a recording artist".

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A production source told the paper: "Cowell wasn't messing around when he spoke to them and he left them in no doubt they all needed to improve.

"He can't be here because he is so busy in the States but he hopes this will help the singers and the ratings."

Meanwhile, The Sun reports that Gary Barlow invited the other judges and Xtra Factor hosts Caroline Flack and Olly Murs to dinner at his house on Wednesday evening to discuss the show.

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"Everyone is worried about how well the show is doing and Gary took matters into his own hands by arranging a gathering," a source claimed.

"He told them they need to make sure the show gets stronger as they don't want to be beaten by [Strictly Come Dancing] again."

The insider - who claimed that Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos have patched up their previous differences - said that the judges left the meal having promised to "knuckle down with their acts to make X Factor better".

The X Factor next airs this Saturday and Sunday (November 5 and 6) at 8pm on ITV1.