‘The X Factor’ UK results: Did Lifeline vote save Bratavio, Saara Aalto, or Freddy Parker from elimination?

Tonight, “The X Factor” had its first results show of the season, and it was without a doubt an extremely eventful affair. For one, we had a brief birthday celebration for Sharon Osbourne, and from there we also had the return of James Arthur for a performance of his hit single “Say You Won’t Let Go.” While we still don’t love everything that he said back when his career was on the rocks, this was an incredibly moving performance and this song is a hit for a perfectly good reason.

Before we get too far into the results, here’s a reminder that Brooks Way is gone from the competition — and the show probably should have done more to address this during the broadcast itself, even if it is an awkward situation for them.

Tonight, there is a new twist in the Lifeline vote, which is a little similar to what is being done on international shows like “America’s Got Talent” or “The Voice” in America. Using the show’s official app, audiences could vote to save one of three artists in Saara Aalto, Freddy Parker, or Bratavio from elimination. We thought that Freddy was much better than Simon Cowell gave him credit for last night, and he should be saved with this. Meanwhile, Bratavio are such an easy boot at this point.

Freddy was saved thanks to the Lifeline vote, and that left us with Saara vs. Bratavio for what was a lopsided sing-off. While we do think Saara strained a little bit on the high notes for “Alive,” she’s clearly the better singing talent and someone with a shot of coming back from this. Bratavio are campy, not particularly good singers, and not altogether likable in the way that another “underdog act” in Honey G is.

Let’s all give thanks now to Simon Cowell for telling this like it was: Saara completely killed the guys in this, and there was no reason to stretch this out at all. Yes, Louis Walsh may have been a tad hyperbolic about this being the best sing-off performance EVER, but Saara’s around and deservedly so for another week.

Do you think the right decision was made on the night? Share in the attached comments. (Photo: ITV.)