Four X Factor acts had their hopes of pop stardom revived when they were revealed as wildcards for the final.

Each of the talent show's four judges was allowed to pick one of their rejected acts but viewers' favourite Gamu Nhengu was not among them.

Simon Cowell has revealed he has thrown his weight behind the campaign to save the 18-year-old from deportation to Zimbabwe but viewers are still puzzled as to why the teenager was not chosen by Cheryl Cole for the live finals.

Instead, Cole picked Treyc Cohen who said: "I'm so grateful for this chance and I'm not going to let her down."

The other acts given a lifeline were Wagner, Paije Richardson and duo Diva Fever.

The four wildcards joined the 12 original finalists to test their nerves and voices in front of a live television audience for the first time on Saturday night.

Boy band FYD opened the show with a cover of Travie McCoy's Billionaire, adding a reference to Simon Cowell into the lyrics.

Judge Louis Walsh told them: "It was a great opening. Well done."

Next up was painter and decorator Matt Cardle, singing David Guetta's When Love Takes Over.