Tears as X Factor hopefuls told they have made the final cut

Sam Bailey with Sharon Osbourne. Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

After weeks of auditions and tears and heartache for both the judges and contestants, the final three boys and over-25s were revealed in last night's X Factor.

The final 24 were whittled down to 12, with 35-year-old prison officer and mother of two Sam Bailey being told she had made the cut.

Viewers saw Sam joined in the final by Sharon Osborne's "Devon diva" Shelley Smith and Lorna Simpson and three boys - Luke Friend, Nicholas McDonald and Sam Callahan.

The over-25s:

  • Shelley Smith, 34, from Farringdon in Devon. The single mum delivers car parts in her white van and also performs functions. She made it to bootcamp in 2008 and 2012. Bootcamp song: Respect - Aretha Franklin.

Sharon Osbourne and Shelley Smith during the Judge's Houses stage of the ITV talent show Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

  • Sam Bailey, 35, from Leicestershire. Prison officer Sam is a mother-of-two and has decided she should pursue her musical dreams after devoting herself to work and family. Bootcamp song: Clown - Emeli Sande.

Sam Bailey. Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

  • Lorna Simpson, 26, from South Norwood, London. Currently studying business finance at university, Lorna previously won a "Tasty Talent" contest in Jamaica taking a grand prize of £8,000. Bootcamp song: I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Whitney Houston.

Sharon Osbourne and Lorna Simpson during the Judge's Houses stage of the ITV talent show Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

Boys:

  • Luke Friend, 17, Devon. Student Luke dreams of headlining at Glastonbury Festival and his dreadlocked hair has not been washed for nine months. Bootcamp song: Alone - Heart.

Louis Walsh and Luke Friend during the Judge's Houses stage of the ITV talent show Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

  • Nicholas McDonald, 16, from Motherwell. Student Nicholas gigs at venues close to where he lives, spending the proceeds on new gear which his dad sets up for him when plays lives. Bootcamp song: I won't give up - Jason Mraz.

Louis Walsh and Nicholas McDonald Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

  • Sam Callahan, 19, from Essex. Part-time barman Sam went to theatre school and has been in various bands, as well as gigging as small festivals. Bootcamp song: Iris - GooGoo Dolls.

Louis Walsh and Sam Callahan Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

You can watch X Factor on ITV at 8.00pm tonight and 8.00pm on Sunday.

Read: Catch up on all the latest X Factor news.

Visit ITV's X factor website for more gossip from the show and news.