X Factor contestant misses judges’ houses due to a visa issue

An X Factor contestant is forced to miss judges’ houses due to a visa issue tonight.

Maria Laroco is one of the The X Factor 2018 final 24 acts who were confirmed last night, following the end of the Six Chair Challenge.

This evening, it’s onto judges’ houses. Simon Cowell will take the girls to Malibu with some 50 guests from the music business including Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul, Diane Warren and Ryan Seacrest. There’s also former X Factor winner Leona Lewis and judges’ houses regular Sinitta .

Singing in the Girls category are 17-year-old Maria from the Philippines alongside Bella Penfold, 19 from Essex, Georgia Burgess, 20 from Birmingham, , Molly Scott, 16 from County Durham, Scarlett Lee, 20 from Surrey and Shan, 25 from Croydon.

However a visa issue means that Maria is unable to attend filming.

Host Dermot O’Leary explains in tonight’s show: “Because she can’t be here, Maria is performing down the line from London.”

Maria appears via video link to sing for Simon and his guests.

“Thank you so much for the opportunity that you’ve given me,” she says. “I don’t want this to be my last performance. I want to be part of the live shows. So please, please pick me.”

Maria sings The Mama’s and the Papa’s California Dreamin’ – but will it get her a place in the live shows?

The X Factor Judges Houses air from tonight, Sunday 7th October, 8pm on ITV

After all the girls have performed, Simon will decide which four to give a place in the final stages of the competition.

The judges’ houses continue next weekend with Robbie Williams taking the Groups to Beverley Hills with guest judge David Walliams. Louis Tomlinson will take the Boys category to Ibiza with fellow One Direction star Liam Payne plus Nile Rodgers. Finally, Ayda Williams will fly the Overs with her to LA, joined by guests Leona Lewis and Adam Lambert.