Suzie's X Factor dream is over

Former Shropshire athlete Suzie Furlonger fell at the final hurdle when she failed to reach the live finals of The X Factor after making the last 24.The 27-year-old, who spent her teenage years in the Oswestry area, had beaten tens of thousands of other hopefuls to make it to the final 24 in the hit TV talent show.

But viewers of yesterday's show saw judge Dannii Minogue tell Suzie, who attended Walford and North Shropshire College in Oswestry, she had not made it through to the live stages, where contestants sing for public votes.

Dannii had to choose three over-25-year-olds, from the six still in the competition, to take forward to the live shows. The chosen trio will now compete against nine other acts, from the groups, boys and girls categories, for the prize of a recording contract.

The six were whisked off to her holiday home in St Tropez, France, where Suzie sang One Day I'll fly Away for her final audition.

After hearing Suzie sing, Dannii told former Spice Girl Emma Bunton, who was helping her choose: "She is pretty and sexy, but I am not sure I am seeing a star."

Suzie broke down when Dannii told her that, although she was good looking, charismatic and a lovely voice, she was not going through. Suzie said: "Being on The X Factor has been completely emotional, but one of the best things I have ever done without a doubt."

The former Oswestry Olympian and winner of a British National Athletics championship triple jump gold medal, now works in London as an admin clerk.

Pipping her for the live final spots were Spanish singer Ruth Lorenzo, who now lives in Surrey, single mum Rachel Hylton, from London, and Daniel Evans, from Essex.

See the moment Suzie got her back-luck message from Danni Minogue here