Janet Devlin has edged a step closer to The X Factor final after a comeback performance on the movie-themed show that won unanimous praise from the judging panel.

The 17-year-old Gortin girl looked happier and more relaxed than she has done in previous weeks as she returned to her quirky bohemian roots, performing Kiss Me by Sixpence None The Richer in a patterned maxi frock.

There were no signs of tension between herself and mentor Kelly Rowland, who told her: “Well done, this was a great performance. I'm so proud.”

Last week the teenager found herself the subject of tabloid headlines after it was claimed she had fallen out with Rowland over concerns the former Destiny's Child star was neglecting her in favour of Misha B. It was reported that Janet had not spoken to her mentor for five days.

But following a spa break with her girls in the run-up to this weekend's show all seemed well in Rowland's camp, and Janet appeared more comfortable and confident as she took to the stage to perform the song from the film She's All That.

Afterwards Louis Walsh, her most constant ally on the judging panel, told her: “It is all about the voice with you. We are looking for a real recording star, we have found it in you.”

But it was Gary Barlow's comments that really brought a smile to Janet's face. The Take That star has slated her the last few weeks, even branding her “boring”. But he told her she had bounced back.

“Big improvement tonight. You really connected,” he said.

But two contestants who failed to connect were Scouser Craig Colton and Amelia Lily, who just returned last week as the replacement contestant for Frankie Cocozza. Earlier in the show Amelia had been singled out by rocker Bryan Adams as the one to beat, but she still found herself in the sing-off.

Following their performances, the judges brought the decision to deadlock for the first time this series and Craig was voted off by the public.

He had been the first to sing on Saturday night, but his rendition of Licence To Kill by Gladys Knight — from the James Bond movie of the same name — failed to impress Walsh and Tulisa Contostavlos, who criticised the song choice.

Little Mix, who have been hailed as the best girl band to ever appear on The X Factor, are emerging as favourites for the final along with Liverpudlian Marcus Collins. He delivered what Barlow described as the performance of the night with his rendition of the Jackie Wilson classic Higher And Higher from Ghostbusters II.

Collins is now the bookies' favourite to win.