Leeds’s Bupsi has the X Factor!

The singer from Chapeltown was selected by Simon Cowell as one of his three acts from his Overs category to take to the stage when the singing competition goes live next week.

She was announced as one of the music mogul’s first soloists to progress from the Judges Houses stage.

One Direction star Louis Tomlinson, who had headed out to the South of France to assist Cowell as a guest judge, felt she was a touch “cabaret”.

However, the 37-year-old was ecstatic: “I feel absolutely fantastic!” she cried.

Her performance of Ginuwine’s Pony secured her place.

Bupsi, who has been singing for more than 20 years, has worked with major acts including Destiny’s Child, but her main job in recent years has been her Tina Turner tribute act.

She told the Yorkshire Evening Post in an earlier interview that she wants to make “Leeds proud”.

Backing singer Anton Stephans impressed at Judges’ Houses with Superstar by The Carpenters. Emotional all the way through the process, he said he was “over the moon!”

Musician Max Stone’s rendition of Gangsta’s Paradise secured him the third spot.

In Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s category, Filipino sibling group 4th Impact were the first group selected.

Talking about their progression from the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition, they told hosts Olly Murs and Caroline Flack: “We are very grateful.”

The girls, who have been the bookies’ frontrunners for weeks, sealed their place with a performance of Eminem’s Love The Way You Lie featuring Rihanna.

Alien Uncovered were the second group announced for the live shows by Fernandez-Versini.

Their raunchy rendition of Usher’s Bad Girl impressed the 32-year-old and her guest judge in Rome, rising pop star Jess Glynne.

The final group through was a surprise choice: Ghanaian duo Reggie n Bollie, formerly known as Menn On Point.

Their interpretation of Twist and Shout, the song made famous by The Beatles, helped them beat gospel groups Melody Stone and BEKLN Mile and The New Kings to that all-important spot in the live shows.

For the first time in X Factor history, the acts judged to have performed best at Judges’ Houses were announced live.

Judges Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora will choose their final three when live Judges’ Houses concludes tonight (Sunday).