There was disappointment for Norwich musician Bill Downs as he crashed out of The X Factor because of a u-turn by one of the judges.

The singer/songwriter/guitarist was taking part in the Six Chair Challenge on the ITV show and on Saturday night, viewers saw him made one of the picks of judge Nicole Scherzinger.

But the former Pussycat Doll singer got a hard time from the audience - not least for overlooking fan-favourite Talia Dean.

She stormed out of the arena, slamming the door as she went, having given up on choosing her favourite Overs (performers over the age of 27) category contestants during the challenge because of the audience disapproval.

After quickly filling her six spots, Scherzinger was unexpectedly torn by Loverine Fermino's stunning rendition of Jennifer Holliday's And I Am Telling You, and forced Talia Dean to give up her seat.

As the audience chanted and booed - and co-judges Sharon Osbourne and Simon Cowell rose to their feet in protest - Scherzinger stepped down from her platform. As she left the room, she slammed the door against the wall in frustration.

And tonight, she brought Dean back for the challenge, with a disappointed Downs making way. He walked off saying: 'That's worse than I ever imagined'.

And his fans took to Twitter to express their disappointment. Elaine White (@Margy2311) tweeted: 'Absolutely ridiculous decision by @Nicolesherzy'

And Mark Williamson (@mpwill64) wrote: '@BillDownsMusic Won't be watching #XFactor as you're out. Some being put through have been given more than one chance. Unfair. Nicole clueless.'

Steve Leighton tweeted: 'Of course the show isn't about finding real talent. Should of been cancelled ages ago. Bill your time will come.'

Carrie Parker (@c-parker_1987) said: 'Nicole is an absolute joke there's at least 4 people that should of gone before @BillDownsMusic #shouldntbeajudge' Paul Miller (@PAULMiiLLeR) vented: 'Swapped out the wrong person IMO! @BillDownsMusic has such a good voice! He should have been top 6 #TheXFactor'

And Vicky Morby (@vixym85) posted: 'Is Nicole mad? Bring back @BillDownsMusic!!!!!! Best performer I've seen!'

It was a second case of television heartbreak for the former Sprowston High School pupil. In 2012, The Script singer Danny O'Donoghue picked Londoner Max Milner ahead of him to go into the live finals of the BBC's The Voice.

But there was better news for one of the Mallett brothers, from Lingwood. Leon Mallett made it through to Judges' Houses following judge Louis Walsh's Six Chair Challenge.

Leon, 22, and his younger brother Alex, 18, who work at The Carlton Hotel in Great Yarmouth, had originally auditioned as a duo, but got split by the judges and had to go head to head against each other.

Leon performed Closer by The Chainsmokers, while Alex sang Plan B's She Said.

While Alex did not make the cut. Leon did, despite being on crutches on tonight's programme.