X Factor final 12 hopefuls revealed

Cheryl Cole with finalists (l-r) Rebecca Ferguson, Katie Waissel and Cher Lloyd

The final 12 contestants hoping to be crowned this year's X Factor winner have been chosen.

Finalists include 17-year-old student Cher Lloyd, care home assistant John Adeleye and supermarket worker Mary Byrne.

Receptionist Katie Waissel, decorator Matt Cardle, Italian student Nicolo Festa and group FYD also made the cut from the shortlisted 32 acts.

The first live show will be screened on ITV1 on Saturday at 1940BST.

Judge Cheryl Cole put 24-year-old Waissel through despite the calling her "a little bit annoying", although she added there was something "very intriguing" about her.

Of the three groups in the final, two were put together by head judge Simon Cowell.

Belle Amie and 1 Direction are made up of contestants who originally entered and were rejected as solo artists but were offered a second chance as part of a group.

Mancunian Aiden Grimshaw, 24-year-old Rebecca Ferguson and musician Storm Lee make up the rest of the finalists.

It has been reported that some of the rejected acts, including 18-year-old Gamu Nhengu, may still return to the show this weekend as wildcard acts.