X Factor 2018: The best of the Six Chair Challenge episode one as Simon Cowell and Ayda Field put their acts to the test

The competition is heating up
Six Chair Challenge: The Girls take on the brutal round
Thames/Syco
Safeeyah Kazi29 September 2018

With the X Factor auditions wrapped up nicely, the first round of the ruthless Six Chair Challenge is well and truly under way with a reel of hopefuls keen to secure their place in the competition.

If the prospect of losing your seat to another singer wasn’t making acts anxious enough a new twist has been introduced, the Golden X, which sends one lucky contestant from each category straight to judges houses but boots another out of their seat.

Episode one of the Six Chair kicked off with Simon Cowell making his way through the Girls category and Ayda Field assessing the Overs.

Here’s the best of this week’s Six Chair Challenge.

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Bella Penfold

The 19-year-old hotel singer stole the show with her rendition of Stormzy’s Blinded By Your Grace after promising to prove herself vocally.

Penfold cruised effortlessly between smooth vocals and a quick-flow rap tapping into her lower range and soon won over the audience at Wembley Stadium with her humility.

Tomlinson was quick to praise the Essex resident on her rapping ability, he said: “My pet hate is when any Tom, Dick or Harry thinks they can rap but you really should be rapping. I think you’re the full package.”

Her performance secured her the show’s first Golden X after Cowell teased that she would not be getting a seat. He then walked over to “explain why”, surprising the whole arena with the move.

Georgia Burgess

The 20-year-old hopeful was previously hailed judge Louis Tomlinson’s “favourite” audition at one stage.

Hoping to gain the same gratification from Cowell, the temporary recruiter stormed the stage with her rendition of Pharell’s Happy.

Burgess was quick to win over the judges with her raspy tone and powerful vocals, with Tomlinson again showering the Birmingham resident with praise and declaring it a “brilliant take” on the song.

However, it wasn’t all smooth-sailing for Burgess a she was on the brink of being ousted from the competition after Cowell told another contestant to take her place.

But Burgess refused to go down that easily, asking the music mogul to let her sing another song eventually resulting in her take a place after a stunning performance of Robin S’ Show Me Love.

Scarlett Lee

Resident comeback kid Scarlett Lee arrived on the stage with a point to prove after being sent home at the Six Chair Challenge last year.

After Cowell warned Lee against making the same mistakes as the year before, the 20-year-old makeup artist left no room for an unsure judgement.

Seeking a taste of redemption, Lee belted her heart out with her performance of Kelly Clarkson’s Piece By Piece.

While Cowell decided to give Lee a seat initially, he couldn't decide where to put her. The result? A sing-off you'll have to wait until tomorrow night to see....

Ava Lily

Thames/Syco

The 24-year-old singer-songwriter bravely took to the stage with her performance of One Direction’s Perfect.

The stripped-back performance left judges in awe of her soft, effortless vocal leaving Tomlinson impressed and quipping about the “great song.”

However, Lily soon found herself being taken out of the competition with another hopeful stealing her place.

Tomlinson appeared disappointed with the swap hailing it a “shame.”

Ricky John

Carpenter Ricky John cautiously took to the stage after airing concerns that he “won’t get many more chances”, after having welcomed another child following a difficult stint in his life having left him homeless.

John, fearfully told how his six-month-old new-born had been keeping him awake, resulting in a hoarse voice.

Despite his fears, the 36-year-old moved the audience with his version of Otis Redding’s Try a Little Tenderness, putting on display his raspy vocals and passion for singing.

Naturally, his performance saw him receive a standing ovation and prompted Robbie Williams to encourage John to “drop” the self-doubt.

A wise Ayda-Field slyly asked to give John a birthday hug before “remembering” that she had a present for the hopeful, a Golden X, John broke down on stage leaving everyone near-tears.

The Six Chair Challenge continues Sunday at 8pm on ITV.

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