Anthony Russell has quit The X Factor 2017 despite winning a spot at judges’ houses last weekend.
Last sunday evening it was the turn of the Boys at the Six Chair Challenge and Anthony impressed with his performance to win a chair in the final six.
But he’s since quit the show and Sam Black will return to replace him.
Singing at Wembley Arena in pre-recorded scenes tonight, Anthony performed Joe Cocker’s You Are So Beautiful.
Louis Walsh gave Anthony a seat and said: “You’re a rough diamond and we have to polish that.”
However it was previously revealed that Anthony had subsequently withdrawn from the competition for “personal reasons”.
A spokesperson for the X Factor revealed in a statement: “Earlier this month, due to personal reasons, Anthony withdrew from the show.
“We are sad to see him go and wish him all the best for the future.”
An X Factor source revealed: “Anthony has been going through some personal issues for some time – as he sang about at his audition. Those issues were still affecting him. So everyone has urged him to concentrate on getting himself better right now.
“Anthony has always said he will never give up on music. Production are all very fond of him and think he has really potential so have told him, if he straightens himself out, they would love him to have another shot at X Factor next year. That is the perfect incentive for him to get his life back on track”.
They added: “The public support really did help him to believe in himself . So everyone hopes he will come back next year healthier”
Anthony’s departure left a space free and it’s Sam Black who will be back this weekend.
Sam didn’t actually make the six chair challenge, but was eliminated from the competition at the arena bootcamp auditions.
It was there that he had also got down on one knee in front of the live audience to propose to his girlfriend.
Louis Walsh said: “We missed a trick not putting him through at Boot Camp. He has that retro Sixties style viewers will love.”
The X Factor 2017 continues this Saturday and Sunday night on ITV with judges’ houses.