Kevin Davy White has been voted off The X Factor 2017 in a night of tears and triumphs.

Despite being an audience favourite and being showered with praise by the judges after wowing with his soulful performances week after week, the 29-year-old French musician was knocked out of the talent show at the semi-final.

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After it was revealed that Rak-Su and Grace Davies would be going through to Sunday night's final, gracious in defeat Kevin thanked the people of the UK for their support.

Speaking to host Dermot O'Leary the Parisian star, who has now made the UK his home, said: "It's [three] my new lucky number! Thank you to the UK for believing in me and putting me on that stage. Thank you to all of you. I love you so much. I can't wait to show you what I can do."

For mentor Nicole, there was no question that with his raw, soulful sound,Kevin has a promising career in music ahead of him.

"For me, Dermot he has already won," she said. "He has already won the hearts of so many people out there. What a beautiful beautiful platform this is for him."

And while he made his exit, Kevin made sure he went out in style, kicking off the show with an electric performance of Led Zeppelin's Whole Lotta Love.

With his family and friends supporting him, he also performed the first of the X Factor final duets, teaming up the winner of this year's Britain's Got Talent, Tokio Myers for a rendition of George Michael's Fast Love.

All three acts put up a fight but in the end it was a night of celebration for Rak-Su and Grace, who will now face each other in the X Factor final.

Singing their own track Mamacita, to the delight of the crowd, Rak-Su later teamed up with special guests Wyclef Jean and Naughty Boy for another crowd-pleasing original song.

Grace showed off her spiralling vocals with her rendition of Live and Let Die and was later joined by Paloma Faith who sang Grace's own song, Roots, with her.

At the end of the performance, the singer from Blackburn broke down in tears. Paloma praised her for her authentic talent describing Grace as a true artist.

Simon Cowell too praised Grace for her songwriting skills. "I think you've made a difference this year, along with Rak-Su, coming on with your own material. People will come on in years to come and say "if they can do it, I can do it",' Simon Cowell told her.

While their respective mentors Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne were elated at the result, the singers were clearly overwhelmed.

Asked how they felt about making it this far, Rak-Su's Mustafa said: "I'm speechless. I'm so emotional. Thank you so much to everyone that's voted for us. We never thought we'd make it here, from our first audition up until now."

Grace added: "It's been the most amazing experience. Thank you to the judges, thank you to the contestants for making it so fun."

The reaction on Twitter was not so generous however, with viewers disappointed to see Kevin leave the show with many hailing him the only real talent in the contest.

Rak-Su and Grace Davies will battle it out in tomorrow's X Factor final. With performances from Little Mix, Pink and Sam Smith, the winner will release their celebrity duet as this year's winner single, with part of the proceeds being donated to children's charities, Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase.