X Factor: Judges reveal the 12 finalists

The final 12 acts for The X Factor have been confirmed.

Nicole Scherzinger was joined by Ne-Yo in selecting her final three, chose Rylan Clark, James Arthur and Jahmene Douglas in her Boys category.

Contostavlos – helped by Tinie Tempah – went for Jade Ellis, Lucy Spraggan and Ella Henderson for the Girls.

For the Overs category, Gary Barlow –  with assistance from Cheryl Cole – chose Melanie Masson, Kye Sones and Carolynne Poole.

Finally, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne kept GMD3, MK1 and Union J in the Groups category.

Gary Barlow said of the final list of contestants: “This year we really have got the cream of the crop with our finalists and it was tough for all of us to choose our three acts. The standard of talent has gone up this year and I think it’s the best ever line-up of finalists.

“The live shows will feel very different this year too as contestants can sing their own songs and play guitar – I can’t wait for Saturday!”

Four acts were also revealed to be among this year’s Wildcard contestants, with each judge giving one artist in their category an extra chance of making the live shows.

Christopher Maloney (Overs), Adam Burridge (Boys), Amy Mottram (Girls) and Times Red (Groups) will go up against each other in a public vote that will continue until next Saturday’s live show, with the winning act performing alongside the other 12 finalists.

The X Factor continues with its first live show on Saturday, October 6 at 8pm on ITV