Kye Sones loses out to Rylan Clark after X Factor deadlock vote

Kye Sones and Rylan Clark during the X Factor Live Results Show on ITV1, Fountain Studios, London, Britain - 4th November 2012. (Rex Features)

Singer Kye Sones was eliminated from X Factor after a deadlock saved controversial contestant Rylan Clark once again.

Sones and Clark had a sing-off after the pair received the least amount of votes from the public.

But the four judges could not reach a majority on who to boot off the show.

Judge and Clark's mentor Nicole Scherzinger voted for the Essex boy and praised his rendition of Des'ree's Kissing You.

"(Clark) not only brings light, energy and fun to the show but after that performance you bring art to the show."

Fellow judge Gary Barlow, who has never hidden his dislike for Clark, said he clearly preferred Sones's performance of I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz.

"This is very, very simple, I'm sure everyone at home agrees, the sing-off was completely won by Kye tonight," said Barlow, who mentors Sones.

"Rylan I've enjoyed your fun in this competition but when you're put next to a real singer, you just do not compete."

Louis Walsh said Clark proved that he could really sing but said he preferred Sones.

Walsh said he was "going to do the right thing" and vote to boot off Clark.

Judge Tulisa Contostavlos, who had the final decision to make, said the sing-off showcased one of the best performances by both singers.

"When it comes down to it...it's not just the singing competition, it's the X Factor," she said.

"The act that I look forward to seeing each week is Rylan.

"I've got to go with my heart I'm sorry, the act I'm sending home is Kye."

Sones lost in the deadlock, which is decided by the lowest number of public votes.

The result upset Barlow, who weeks earlier had stormed off the set after Clark was saved in another deadlock and another one of his acts, Carolynne Poole, was sent home.

"I always predicted that when you have an act like Rylan in this competition, good singers go home every week," Barlow said after the elimination.

"I'm upset for Kye."

Sones, who worked as a chimney sweeper before the show, said he is currently writing an album and was grateful that the competition had given him a platform to launch his singing career.

PA