'You're WORLD class!' Jahmene Douglas wows The X Factor judges with stunning performance of Killing Me Softly

By Sarah Bull

PUBLISHED: 16:26 EST, 27 October 2012 | UPDATED: 20:35 EST, 27 October 2012

He wowed the judges during his very first audition for The X Factor.

But Jahmene Douglas proved he is going from strength to strength on the competition, with a stunning performance of the Fugees' Killing Me Softly.

Following the performance, Jahmene was labelled a 'world class' singer by Louis Walsh, who added: 'For me, you are the best singer in this competition by a mile - we haven't had a UK star like you for a long time.'

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World class: Jahmene Douglas wowed the judges with his performance of Killing Me Softly on The X Factor on Saturday night

Tulisa Contostavlos said: 'You are a little muffin. I'm going to start calling you the man who can't be moved because every week I cannot find one negative critique. Brilliant performance.'

Gary Barlow said: 'It was a stunning performance and great song choice.'

And Jahmene's mentor Nicole Scherzinger concluded: 'Jah-mazing. It was so beautiful, beautifully understated. today I wanted you to taste and feel every word because so many people have song that song.'

Giving it his all: Jahmene didn't hold back with his performance, and is already being tipped a likely winner of the show

'Amazing': Louis Walsh kicked off the comments by complimenting Jahmene on an incredible performance

Host Dermot O'Leary kicked the fright night off at the beginning of the evening as he made his way onto the spookily-lit stage to the sounds of Michael Jackson's Thriller, accompanied by a crowd of dancers.

Dermot, wearing a pair of red devil's horns, even managed a sequence of a few dance moves as he riled the crowd up ahead of welcoming the judges.

Judges Nicole Scherzinger, Gary Barlow, Tulisa and Louis Walsh then made their way onto the stage, in suitably spooky outfits.

Nicole went for the shock factor in a lacy catsuit and crimped hair with a black headpiece, but told Dermot: 'I just wanted to wear something really simple tonight!'

Spooktacular! Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger, Tulisa and Louis make their way onto the stage at the start of the night

Different looks: Nicole opted for a very daring sheer catsuit while Tulisa went for all-out glamour in her full-length black gown

Meanwhile, her fellow female judge Tulisa opted for all-out glamour in a full-length black gown,  finishing off her ensemble by giving it a Halloween touch with a pair of vampire fangs.

Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh went for their usual dapper style in smart trouser suits.

Prior to the first performance, Louis said: 'I have two great boybands, two very different types of boybands and I'm excited.'

Tulisa said: 'I'm feeling a bit feisty this week!'

Kicking things off: Kye Sones began the performances, with a rendition of Robbie Williams' Let Me Entertain You

Rocking it out: Kye wore a pair of ripped black jeans and a leather jacket for a much rockier look

And Gary said that after not losing an act last week, for the first time in this year's series, he is hoping his remaining over 28s can 'come back and deliver'.

So the pressure was on for Kye Sones, who was the first to perform.

Taking on the daunting prospect of singing Robbie Williams' Let Me Entertain You, Kye said he wanted to have fun during the annual Halloween special.

However, he wasn't prepared for the prospect of having to perform the track in front of its original performer, Robbie himself, when he taught a masterclass for the remaining contestants.

Easy riders: Union J sang their spooky track atop a black car and in front of a speedometer image on the screen

Where have they gone? As the judges chatted to the boys, a huge mist of fog descended onto the stage

But Robbie was impressed with his rendition of the single, telling him afterwards: 'The problem is not the notes, the problem is you popping on TV. And what you've just done there for me, you haven't' done on TV yet.'

And the experience also helped Kye, who said afterwards: 'Meeting him and performing to someone like that has given me extra fight now. I'm going for it - kitchen sink-ing it!'

Following his performance, Kye received positive criticism from most of the judges, with Nicole telling him: 'Kye, what a great way to open the show this week. You came out strong and swinging. This is where you won my over, with the dancing - that was very entertaining, good job!'

Theatrical: Rylan Clark started his performance with Britney Spears' Toxic, before merging into Horny and Poison

Terrifying! Rylan wore a pair of white trousers with patterned waistcoat and lace appliqued on his face for his performance

But Louis was less positive, telling Kye: 'It must have been a shock for you to be in the bottom two last week and you've tried everything tonight. I hope it's enough but I'm just not sure.'

However, Tulisa disagreed, saying: 'I think tonight you have done everything you possibly can. you have given everything in that performance tonight. this week was even better than last week - this is the Kye we want to see.'

And mentor Gary said: 'Kye well done, you came back with a bang, with a boom, with a crash. Part of the problem for you is that the boys are very strong this year, but they couldn't do that tonight.'

Union J were up next, admitting they had had a 'bananas' week with the amount of female fans they have and the fact they attended the Skyfall premiere earlier in the week.

What a treat! Rylan stood on the judges' table to perform a special dance for Gary - his biggest fan

Hilarious: Nicole shared a smile with Gary after her act Rylan's performance

But in between all the partying, the boys managed to work hard on their song, a rendition of Beyoncé's Sweet Dreams.

Following their song, Tulisa told them: 'The vocals were really good tonight. Jamie, your vocals in particular were really strong, My only issue is that you played it a little bit safe with that song tonight,. But I thought you could have done something a bit more exciting.'

Gary added: 'Jamie, you did sing Incredibly well tonight but it does feel safe - I've seen this kind of performance tonight. Come back with something different next week - change it up.'

But Nicole disagreed, saying: 'I thought that was absolute perfection. I thought it was brilliant because this week it's going to be crazy and you didn't need anything else. I love every single one of you - you stand there, you own it, you're honest - it was simple, it was beautiful.

Scary style: Ella kicked off her performance covering her dress in a bright red cape

Quick change: Ella then removed the cape to reveal the sparkly dress beneath

Not a fan? Gary criticised Ella's hair, while Nicole said she shouldn't have changed the key of the song

'We asked last week for harmonies and energy and that's what they gave us.'

And Louis said: 'I believe in this group so much, union J fans please vote - the potential with you four guys is amazing.'

Rylan Clark was up next, hoping to delight his fans and judges with his performance as he treated the audience to a typically theatrical version of Britney Spears' Toxic, wearing a pair of white trousers, patterned waistcoat and lace appliqued on to his face.

He then merged into a version of Mousse T's Horny and Nicole's own track Poison, taking the opportunity to dance on the judges' table - right in front of his biggest fan, Gary Barlow.

Following the performance, Louis told Rylan: 'You remind me of a young Jean Paul Gaultier. I'm with Robbie about you because he knows about the entertainment side of you.'

Giving it his all: Christopher Maloney got into the competition as the wildcard, but has since been impressing viewers with his performances

Debate: But the performance caused an argument between Gary and Tulisa

Tulisa said: 'It feels like Mahiki all over again. You might not have the strongest voice but every time on the stage you deliver to the best of your ability.'

Gary said: 'It's hard to imagine how I ever fell out with Robbie Williams, isn't it? I owe it to you giving him an honest critique. It wasn't any worse than last week and the music was so loud that I couldn't hear you singing - that was a good thing. The dancers were good - is that enough?'

Nicole then told Gary: 'Let's just face it, you're a little devil and you're just so horny!'

She then added to Rylan: 'For me that was my favourite performance from you so far. You had fun, you let go and it's all about team Robbie WIlliams for me!'

Open-mouthed: Tulisa looked stunned as Gary accused her of having 'fag ash breath'

The charmer has left the building! The attack was most out-of-character for the usually gentlemanly Gary

Rylan then said: 'I can never breathe at the end of it - and I always think it's a good sign.'

He then told Gary: 'I really do want to impress you, so if I get through this week,  I'll leave all this and I'll stand here and sing you a song.'

Tulisa then introduced her 'little cupcake' Ella Henderson, who said she's having the 'best time ever' on the competition, adding: 'I feel so so lucky to be where I am right now.'

Wearing a red cape over her black sparkly dress, Ella belted out a version of Evanescence's Bring Me To Life.

Afterwards, Gary said: 'Well done on another wonderful performance. You are an adult competing with adults - your voice is incredible and it's hard to fault you. The song wasn't my favourite but you did it proud.'

A mash-up too far? District3 failed to impress when they merged three different songs together

Frightening: Nicole told the boys that they had a big step forward last week, but have gone backwards again this week

But Nicole had some criticism, saying: 'This was my least favourite performance of yours and that's hard for me to say. I love this song but for me, it was the wrong key all the way. I felt like the chorus is so epic and it was anti-climactic. I feel like it could have had even more depth.'

However, Louis contended: 'I like the fact that you took a chance. We are looking for a recording voice and you have that, without a doubt. The only thing I don't like is you hair!'

And Ella's mentor said: 'I'm glad you had fun. That song did sound different from the original but that's what you always do - you bring your own take on it.'

Ella said afterwards: 'When I took the song on, I just wanted to do is justice and bring my own style to it.'

Next up was Christopher Maloney, whose mentor Gary told him not to try and hide his nerves if he is struggling.

Sexy in silver: Single mother Jade Ellis looked incredible in her skintight catsuit for her performance of Freak Like Me

Trying something new: Jade incorporated dance moves into her routine

Singing Cutting Crew's Died In Your Arms, Christopher did his best to give a heartfelt performance, but it lacked some of the Halloween factor that the others had.

Nicole said afterwards: 'That was fun, I felt like I was watching an Eighties Halloween pop opera but I want to just to give you a hug. Good job on the vocals, I loved how you ended on the falsetto.'

Louis said: 'You haven't been in the bottom two yet but we are looking for a future recording star but I think you are more of a cabaret star.'

And Tulisa said: 'I thought your vocals were very strong but it gets to the point where I blame your mentor. I have to ask you, how many of these eighties classics are you going to let him keep destroying? I even feel bad having to say the same thing every week.'

Turning to respond to Tulisa, Gary said: 'I don't know what's offended me more -  what you said or the fag ash breath!'

Tangled web: Jade was joined by a group of scantily-clad dancers on the stage

Not so impressive: But Jade's performance didn't go down too well with the majority of the judges

However, Tulisa didn't take it laying down, telling Dermot afterwards: 'Just a note for Gary - lay off the red wine because I can really smell that as well.'

Following the drama, District 3 were next to perform, singing a mash-up of three songs, including Every Breath You Take and Ne-Yo's Monster.

But a still-agitated Tulisa was less than impressed, telling the boys: 'I loved it when you started off but when you dropped to Ne-Yo you lost control of the vocals.

'Just make sure when your dancing that you can control your voices.'

Scary times: James Arthur performed in front of a backdrop of an image of a scary pumpkin

Who's your friend? James performed alongside a few men dressed as monks carrying flames

Still on a roll, Gary told the boys: 'It was an absolutely mess - it was a musical mess. I'm so fed up with mash ups. I'm so disappointed.'

Nicole said: 'I have to agree with Gary on this one - I love the song you started out with, but I don't like the mash-up.'

However, Louis contended: 'It wasn't as good as last week but the potential with these three guys is fantastic.'

The penultimate performance of the evening came from Jade Ellis, singing the Sugababes' Freak Like Me.'

But while Jade looked stunning in her skintight silver all-in-one, her vocals divided opinion among the judges.

It's been a good week! James got positive comments from the judges, and performed with Labrinth in the week

Gary said: 'I love the image, out of everybody in this competition you have had the best makeover - you look like a pop star. But for me, the vocals were slightly weaker than they usually are.'

And Nicole didn't pull any punches with her critique, telling Jade: 'Thank God it's Halloween because that was frightening. I'm sorry, but I just didn't get it. I don't' know the energy. I didn't believe it and i felt like you were a little awkward up there.'

Louis said: 'I feel that was a really bad song choice for you and you looks uncomfortable up there. It was more style for substance for me.'

However, Tulisa argued back: 'I feel like everyone is forgetting about the themes that we have each week. Everyone learns along the journey and trying different things and she has taken a risk tonight bu trying to dance and trying to do something different and I think she did really well with that.'

Getting into the Halloween spirit: Zombie bride Caroline Flack dressed up as she presented The Xtra Factor

Making an entrance: Her co-host Olly Murs descended down from the ceiling

The last act to perform was James Arthur, who impressed with his performance on last week's show.

And ahead of the weekend's live shows, James was given the chance to join Labrinth to perform his hit track Earthquake at one of his gigs.

Taking to the X Factor stage, James opted for a spooky performance of the Eurthymics' Sweet Dreams Are Made Of This, complete with a zombie pianist and men in capes carrying flames.

After the performance, Louise said: 'Every week you bring something new to the show. You are very dark, intense performer but that's a good thing. That record deal isn't too far away.'

Going all out: Rylan and Jade made the most efforts with their outfits

What's on your face? District 3 caused concern with Nicole with the 'five eyeballs' they had on their faces

Tulisa said: 'That is how you take an old school classic and make it modern. I think you are one of the most relevant performers in this competition. I think you have a real urban edge to you and I want to see more of that each week.'

Gary said: 'Wow again. It wasn't just the performance of a great singer, a great artist - it was the performance of someone who wants to win this competition, It was just brilliant.'

And Nicole concluded: 'James Arthur, you are the difference. You are an international recording artist and that is the difference. You brought soul and blues to Halloween week and made it your own.

Girls are going to be having Sweet Dreams about you tonight. That was dope, dude!'