Free fallin'
X Factor hopeful Tommy Ludford FALLS off the stage during shocking Six Chair Challenge
The 20-year-old was so immersed in performing his original song, Dipping Biscuits, he didn't realise how close he was to the edge of the stage
X FACTOR viewers will be stunned tonight when they see hopeful Tommy Ludford fall off the stage as he performs in the Six Chair Challenge.
The 20-year-old was performing an original song, Dipping Biscuits, on his acoustic guitar when he took a step backwards and plunged off the stage - stunning the judges and the live audience.
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Dermot O'Leary swore and rushed to Tommy's aid as did other members of the production crew.
Ayda Field and Robbie Williams rose to their feet, their mouths wide open.
Despite crashing to the floor hard, Tommy climbed to his feet after a nervy few seconds and raised his hand in the air to let everyone know he was OK.
The Six Chair Challenge splits the hopefuls into four different categories and they are each assigned a mentor for the show, as they are then whittled down mercilessly to just six per group.
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Contestants have to sing individually in front of the judges. Each act’s mentor then decides if they deserve one of six coveted seats – but they could be knocked out if their mentor decides to replace them with a subsequent performer.
The lucky six left in the chairs win a spot at judges’ houses, the last stage before the live finals.
For the 2018 edition, a new element has been added to the challenge - the Golden X.
During the Six Chair Challenge, each judge will have the right to offer an act a 'safe seat', or the Golden X, which will guarantee them a place for Judges' Houses.
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Last night there were lots of tears, tantrums and some seriously shocking moments for the judges.
Simon Cowell gave the Golden X to Bella Penfold, who threw herself on the floor and bawled her eyes out when she realised she was through to the next round.
While Ayda broke down in tears as she had to make a tough decision.
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