Bratavio become the FIRST act to be booted from X Factor Live Shows after tense sing-off with Saara Aalto

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Bratavio have become the first act to be ejected from X Factor 2016.

The wannabe pop duo were booted from the live show on Sunday evening after receiving the least support from both viewers and the judges. 

It came after a nail-biting stand-off against Saara Aaolto, which now leaves just eleven acts remaining in the annual talent show.

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Rejects: Bratavio became the first act to be ejected from X Factor 2016 on Sunday evening 

Speaking about their unwelcome exit from the prime-time show, the pair - Ottavio and Bradley - said on X Factor XTRA: 'We gave it our best shot, but if the public didn't connect with us then there's nothing we can do. 

'We weren't surprised to find ourselves in the bottom two. In fact, we already had our bags packed.' 

On what it was like to perform against Saara, they added: 'Saara is amazing - she has such an incredible vocal range. We weren't surprised that the other judges didn't pick us because, ultimately, the best singer has to go through.'

Saved! The result came after a nail-biting stand-off against Saara Aaolto, which now leaves just eleven acts remaining in the annual talent show

Finnish singer Saara was the first to perform - although she only offered a rendition of a track she's already done at least twice.

Bratavio then followed suit with a suspiciously in-tune version of Yazz's The Only Way Is Up, while Freddy Parker was offered a lifeline by viewers who opted to save the aspiring singer from relegation.

Only the pair's own mentor, Louis Walsh, opted to save Bratavio, but giving his verdict he heaped praise on Saara. 

He said: "The sing-off, Sara you were incredible, you were world class, it was one of the best sing-offs ever, but because I'm the mentor for the two boys, I have to send Saara home." 

Line-up: Saara's mentor Sharon and the other two finalists in her category: Relley C & Honey G

Meanwhile, Nicole Scherzinger praised the duo for their "amazing" performance, but she and Sharon Osbourne felt they had to send them home.

Sharon said: "I love you guys but I'm afraid I'm going to have to send Bratavio home."

Nicole added: 'First of all, I didn't even know you could sing that good so that was amazing Bratavio, you really sang for your lives up there, I'm really proud of you. Saara, that song is so difficult but you sang our faces off. The act I'm sending home is Bratavio.'

Success: Just moments earlier Relley C had become the first artist announced as returning to the show, next week

Could she win the competition? Honey G has also made it through to the next stage 

Straight-talking head judge Simon Cowell insisted there wasn't any difficult choice to be made.

He said: 'That was probably the craziest five minutes I've ever seen. I'm not even going to pretend here, if this was a horse race it was like a guinea pig versus a race horse, nice try guys, the act I'm sending home - obviously - is Bratavio.'

Just moments earlier Relley C had become the first artist announced as returning to the show, next week, shortly followed by 5 After Midnight and Matt Terry.

Three is the magic number! 5 After Midnight have also survived the show's brutal process

Well, that's no surprise! Returning act Gifty Louise also made it through

Sam Lavery was also through, just like Emily Middlemass, Ryan Lawrie and, of course, potential winner Honey G. Returning act Gifty Louise also made it through.

Earlier in the show former winner James Arthur took to the stage to perform his Number 1 single, Say You Won't Let You Go, which topped the chart, this week.

Introducing him, Simon Cowell said: 'Annoyingly, Nicole mentored this guy - that's the bad news. But the good news is that James Arthur is back with what has become the 41st UK Number 1 single from X Factor, which is incredible.

'But I'm especially delighted it happened to somebody who did it hid way. He's the comeback kid.' 

Back: Earlier in the show former winner James Arthur took to the stage to perform his Number 1 single, Say You Won't Let You Go, which topped the chart, this week

'The cream rises to the top': Nicole was keen to praise her former winning act 

Proud moment: The singer has redeemed himself in recent weeks with new music and attitude