Girl group 4th Impact has missed out on a place in next week’s X Factor semi-final by becoming the latest act to be eliminated from the show.

The group, being mentored by judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, landed alongside Rita Ora’s contestant Lauren Murray in the sing off.

4th Impact ( Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)
4th Impact ( Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)

The girls thanked the British public who voted for them saying: “You guys accepted us and welcomed us into your hearts and that’s unforgettable, thank you so much.”

The vote went to a deadlock with 4th Impact receiving the lowest number of votes and being sent home.

Cheryl opted to send Murray home and save her act saying: “I have a lot of love and respect for everybody up on this stage tonight… Lauren, that’s probably the best I’ve heard you since the auditions… but my heart and soul is 100% with my girls, they sang every single note perfectly. I’m saving my girls.”

Earlier on in the show, judge Simon Cowell had a bad case of hiccups and asked viewers to tweet him cures.

“I’ve got really bad hiccups, look at me… I seriously need someone to tweet me a hiccup cure,” he said.

Fans posted a range of suggestions.

Rita showed the contestants how it is done when she teamed up with British duo Sigma to perform Coming Home. Sigma joked about working with Rita saying “She’s mental”.

She quipped back: “I’m not mental, I just like to put on a bit of a show.”

She said performing on the show was “so good! I feel like it’s so much easier than sitting over there with them three. It’s lovely to be on the other side. It feels good to be free and sing again.”

American singer Carrie Underwood, who won the fourth season of American Idol, was the first guest performer singing her new single Heartbeat.

Carrie Underwood (Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)
Carrie Underwood (Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)

When asked for advice for the remaining contestants, Carrie said: “Every time you’re on stage act like it’s your last time. Just give it your all.”

She said performing in front of Simon again was “still intimidating, but it’s just great to be here.”

The X Factor returns to ITV next Saturday at 8pm.