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Melanie Masson, a former backing singer for Kasabian, Happy Mondays and many more big-name bands has become the second star to be voted off this year's X Factor.
The 44-year-old session singer, who had previously described her X Factor place as her last chance at a solo career, lost out in the public vote to three-piece boyband District 3. She becomes the second star to leave the show - following Carolynne Poole's exit in week one.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper after her successful audition on the show earlier this year, Masson spoke of a failed solo bid earlier in her career, which was then followed with work as a backing and session singer.
"Most of the work I did was ten to 15 years ago. But for the past six years I’ve been a full-time mum," the told the tabloid at the start of September.
"I had a brief deal with EMI 18 years ago but was dropped after a year. I’ve never really had that big break to shine as an individual. This is my last chance."
That chance has now been taken from the mum of two, and her mentor Gary Barlow said he was "gutted" to have lost Melanie from the competition - his second act to face the chop in as many weeks.
Masson leaves the X Factor studios on Saturday night
Speaking on the show after her elimination, Masson revealed no hard feelings at losing out at her singing dream, saying her time on the show had been the 'best experience' of her career.
"I have absolutely enjoyed every single second of being here and the opportunities it has brought to work with Gary, to work with everybody, it's just been the best experience, I've loved it," she told show host Dermot O'Leary.
Her mentor, Barlow, said: "Gutted, for me Melanie is one of the best singers in the competition, I'm so disappointed, I'm really disappointed for you."
See Masson's 'best bits' below.
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