Anton Stephans declared he had had “the time of my life” on The X Factor as he became the latest person to be eliminated from the ITV show.

The 44-year-old from Suffolk sang I Can’t Make You Love Me and he was absolutely right as the judges votes three to one to send Che Chesterman through instead after a sing-off.

The former backing singer for the likes of Tina Turner, who will still join the X Factor live tour, thanked the judges and fans, saying: “I have had the time of my life, I’m having the time of my life. This is the most wonderful experience and thank you everyone.”

Che Chesterman hugs Anton Stephans who was booted off X Factor following the judges's votes
Che Chesterman was the first to commiserate Anton Stephans (Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)

Anton, who was the last remaining over-25 act, was forced to face Che after the public vote. His mentor Simon Cowell was the only one of the judges who backed him after his performance of a song most famously covered by George Michael.

Simon backed his protege saying: “I really feel passionately about this because Anton you’ve taken a lot of stick, some of this unnecessary, but you are a character, you’re a fighter, you are fun.”

But Anton did not appear to hold any grudges.

Anton Stephans has left the X Factor after the judges voted to save Che Chesterman following a sing-off
Anton had seemed to clash with judge Nick Grimshaw on Saturday’s show (Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)

He told Nick Grimshaw, with whom he has previously clashed: “Nick, I know we had some songs but let’s just forget it.”

On Saturday he sang One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men, and there were boos from the crowd as Nick said: “It still feels like an act to me, it doesn’t feel real or raw.”

“This is real, there’s nothing fake about me,” Anton replied.

Anton Stephans has left the X Factor after the judges voted to save Che Chesterman following a sing-off
Anton sang I Can’t Make You Love Me, which seemed apt considering he was voted off (Syco/Thames/Corbis/Dymond)

Girl Group 4th Impact, Lauren Murray, Louisa Johnson and Reggie ‘N’ Bollie went straight through to join Che on next week’s show.

Sunday’s live results show saw performances from former The Wanted singer Nathan Sykes and co-presenter Olly Murs, who was backed by a platoon of female dancers in eye-catching blue swimming costumes.