Irish XÂ Factor star Orla Keogh was axed from the show – after a tense stand off with producers.
The Dublin singer was controversially booted from the show by Cheryl Fernandez-Versini as part of the cruel six chair challenge.
The 20-year-old thought she had made it to judges houses – before the Girls Aloud star brought back Chloe Jasmine Whichello in a last-minute decision to swap her in.
Swap: Cheryl broke Orla’s heart after change of mind | ITV
But it has emerged that Orla was only sent home after producers approached her in front of the packed arena to force her to change her mind.
A source told the Sun: “Cheryl had axed Chloe despite Simon Cowell begging her to keep her. It was only after the producers went to see Cheryl that she suddenly changed her mind.
“The mood in the audience was already pretty toxic and after that it looked like there was going to be a riot. Tensions were high.
Cruel: Cheryl took Orla’s dream away from her in last-minute decision to hand it to Chloe | ITV
“Cheryl will say she made the decision. But to anyone in the audience who saw her heated exchange with producers, it didn’t seem that way.”
Earlier, Simon Cowell had already intervened when Chloe was axed, telling Cheryl: “You made a mistake, babe.” He added: “Cheryl, change your mind.”
Following their meeting, viewers then saw Cheryl say: “I want someone who can do something different each week, you have that for me.”
An X Factor source said producers were forced to speak to Cheryl because “judges don’t wear earpieces”.
