Witham's Olly Murs has booked himself a place in tonight’s X Factor final.

The 25-year-old is now one public vote away from winning a life-changing recording contract.

He will be in the final of the ITV show alongside Newcastle’s Joe McElderry, but Dagenham’s Stacey Solomon will miss out after being voted out by the public.

Simon Cowell, who decided to put the former call centre worker through to the final stages, told Olly: “I took a risk on you, but it’s the best risk I have ever taken in my life.

“On the biggest night of your life you pulled out the performance of your life.”

“You are an entertainer and you thoroughly deserve your place in the final,” added judge Cheryl Cole.

Olly performed Superstitious and Fall in Love before singing a duet of Angel with Robbie Williams.

“I’m a massive fan of Olly,” said the former Take That star.

“I love his voice and his character – I’m a big fan of Olly “I can’t believe how confident this man is – I should be taking tips from him.”

More than a thousand screaming fans that joined Olly’s friends and family were featured in the show as part of a live link to the Ivor Crewe Lecture Theatre at Essex University.

The former Howbridge Church of England Junior School pupil said: “From the bottom of my heart I want to say thank you to everyone for voting for me.

“Tonight has been the most fantastic time of my life.”

Joe McElderry performed Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me with George Michael and Stacey Solomon performed Feeling Good with Michael Buble.