CHER Lloyd’s star was still shining as she sailed through to the semi-final of the hit ITV1 show the X Factor.

The Malvern Link 17-year-old has enjoyed her fair share of the limelight, hitting the pages of most national newspapers and gossip magazines – and her rise to the top seems to be getting more assured.

There was a shock double eviction last night. It had only been sprung the previous evening on the remaining performers Katie Waissel, Matt Cardle, Wagner and One Direction. But Cher was one of the first acts to go through to the semi-final on Saturday.

Katie and Wagner were not so lucky. They were voted off on last night’s show.

Following Cher’s double performances on Saturday night of Avril Lavigne’s Girlfriend, along with Aerosmith and Run DMC’s Walk This Way, she received several glowing commendations from the judges, and they may just have given her the edge to stay in the show.

Last week she only just made it through after being placed in the final two, with Paige Richardson losing when it came to the judges’ decision about who to kick off the show.

Cher’s father Darren Lloyd said he spoke to her yesterday before the results were announced, and she seemed in high spirits, but the wait was almost unbearable for the whole family.

“We did get to speak to her quickly and she was her bubbly self and was in very good spirits. It is difficult to watch every week, and it was a little bit of a shock last week when Paige went when they were both in the final two. But nobody is safe in this competition, and every week you just never know what is going to happen.”

He said that they were not going to celebrate her getting through this week, as there was still a few weeks left.

After her first performance on Saturday, judge Louis Walsh said: “You are becoming like your mentor, you are becoming a right little diva.”

Dannii Minogue said the performance of Girlfriend was her favourite so far.

“You were so on the beat,” she added.

Simon Cowell said: “From the disaster last week to undoubtedly your best performance so far – it didn’t sound like karaoke.”

Cheryl Cole said: “You smashed it out there.”

Following her second performance, Louis said she had two “brilliant” performances on the night. He said he didn’t think he would like it, but he did.

Dannii said: “There is nobody that performs like you do on that stage.

Simon said he thought she had had a “fantastic night”. He said shows such as the X Factor were designed to give somebody who had talent the opportunity to shine.

Cheryl added: “I believe in you, I believe in your future and I believe you are a credible artist.”

Next week in the semi-final will be Cher, Rebecca Ferguson, Matt Cardle, Mary Byrne and boy group One Direction.

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