X Factor judges last night selected the 12 acts who will go through to compete in the live finals of the hit show.

The ITV talent show judges were shown agonising over which of the remaining 24 acts would be culled.

The early favourites from this year's show have all made it through, with front runners Rachel Adedeji, the Grimes brothers and Stacey Solomon all making the cut.

The groups ... mentor Louis Walsh with Miss Frank, John & Edward and Kandy Rain

For the lucky 12, the pressure will now build in earnest as they face the nerve-shredding prospect of appearing live on the nation's television screens.

Londoner Adedeji has been backed by last year's winner Alexandra Burke, while Essex student Solomon's version of the classic ballad Over The Rainbow, won the praise of pint-sized megastar Kylie Minogue.

The boys ... mentor Cheryl Cole with Lloyd, Rikki and Joe

Kylie told her: "I sung that song every night on tour for a while and it's one you don't want to mess up but for me it was flawless."

Welsh teenager Lloyd Daniels also made it through despite judge Cheryl Cole voicing her concerns about his tender age.