He and Lloyd Daniels came bottom of the score board for the public vote and so faced a sing-off.

But after the judges decision resulted in a tie it was left up to the public to make a final decision for the fourth week running.

Simon Cowell voted to send the Welsh teenager home but Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh both wanted to eliminate Jamie.

This left Dannii Minogue with the deciding vote, before announcing her decision, she said: "We have got two pop stars in front of us. We are looking for a recording artist. It's about who sang the best. The act I'm sending home tonight is Lloyd."

Cowell looked shocked as it was announced that Jamie had earned the lowest number of viewer votes.

Once again spikey haired twins John and Edward managed to make it through to another round.

Jamie, nicknamed "Jamie Afro" because of his distinctive hair, said after being told he would be leaving the competition: "I just want to thank everyone who supported me.

"It's not the end - it's the beginning."

Of his plans, the 33-year-old musician said: "I'm going to do a few gigs.

"I just want to make a record and get out there and play."

Cowell, his mentor on the show, said he felt sorry for Jamie and admitted he may have let him down with his song choice.

But he described the musician as a "great guy" who had a "great future ahead".

Earlier, Queen stars Brian May and Roger Taylor joined the finalists on the stage for a rendition of the group's hit Bohemian Rhapsody.

Last night's X Factor show was Queen themed, with the contestants performing their songs.

Shakira also entertained the crowd while the five acts who had already left the show returned for a performance of their charity single.

All 12 finalists sing on the cover version of Michael Jackson's You Are Not Alone, which will raise money for London's Great Ormond Street children's hospital.

It is hoped the single, which goes on sale tomorrow but is available to pre-order now, will repeat the success of last year's version of Mariah Carey's Hero, which raised more than £1 million for the Help For Heroes charity.

The contestants visited the central London hospital last month to meet some of the children who are receiving treatment there.

Cowell said of the charity: "They do an incredible job.

"They save the lives of thousands of kids every year."

Jedward won through to next week after singing and rapping a version of Under Pressure, mixed with Vanilla Ice's Ice Ice Baby, a song which samples the Queen song's bassline.

Cowell said last night it was their best performance yet but admitted he still could not judge them "in the real world".

"I have to judge you in Jedward land. If I have to take myself there, I'd say that was your best performance," he said.

"There's no point me getting angry or serious about this. If the public like you, they like you."

In the run-up to last night's show, Cowell was heavily criticised for missing the chance to kick the twins off the show last week.

He let the public vote make the final decision and it was Lucie Jones who waved goodbye instead.

The other remaining finalists are Stacey Solomon, Olly Murs, Joseph McElderry and Danyl Johnson.