Published Sunday, 21 October 2012
MK1 sing for survival on The X Factor (© Rex Features)
The judges' vote went to deadlock again but this was the first results show of the series which didn't see Gary Barlow wave goodbye to one of his acts.
As host Dermot O'Leary revealed the results of the public vote Charlie, 19, and Sim, 24 were booted off the show.
Louis joined the duo on stage to tell them he was hopeful they will succeed regardless, even calling on Simon Cowell to lend a hand.
"We are genuinely good friends," he said of his act.
"I want them to get a record deal. Someone out there? Simon?"
Meanwhile, the Take That frontman was relieved not to lose a third act in as many weeks in the over 28 category after Kye Sones survived the sing-off.
"You are the reason I wanted this category," he told his protégé. "I'm so sorry you're here."
Kye delivered a heartfelt rendition of 'If I Can't Make You Love Me' by Bonnie Raitt, while MK1 opted for 'Man Who Can't Be Moved' by The Script.
Gary told the acts: "That was one of the best sing-offs I've ever seen on this show."
Earlier he had told his Twitter followers his dog Cookie had been trained "to bite anyone who takes it to deadlock".
Both Gary and Louis were quick to save their own acts, while Nicole Scherzinger chose Kye over MK1 although she told the band: "I love how relevant and fresh you are."
Tulisa said she had to remain true to her roots in her decision to save the urban duo.
MK1, who first auditioned as a three-piece band, wanted to deliver "the underground to the overground" on the show.
"You touch a soft spot for me", Tulisa told them. "I've connected with you. If I don't stick up for my urban N-Dubz roots here, I'd be lying."
The results show also featured a duet as Emeli Sandé and Labrinth performed together, while former X Factor contestants JLS also took to the stage.
Next week, sparks could be flying between Gary and former bandmate Robbie Williams who is due to perform on the results show.
On Sunday former Take That star Williams urged his Twitter followers to vote for controversial Essex model Rylan Clark, who safely made it through to next week's Halloween-themed live show.
Gary had told Rylan on Saturday: "We have, I think, 10 very talented contestants left in this competition and for every week that you're here one of them is going to go home. That's just not good enough."