IT was the viewers and not X-Factor contestant Robert Allen who were left in tears this week.

Barkingside man Robert had a torrid time last week, when he found himself in the bottom two of the ITV talent contest.

But on Saturday, he turned his fortunes around with a powerful and emotional rendition of the Heatwave song Always and Forever, made particularly poignant as Robert had last sung it at his sister Natalie's funeral two years ago.

The performance had such an impact on the audience that it left many close to tears, and it provoked rave reviews from celebrity judges Simon Cowell, Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh.

Both Sharon and Louis named it as the performance of the night, while Simon said it had put Robert back in the race to win the contest.

Robert's mum Aldith told the Guardian: "He was fantastic. The song had meaning to lots of people.

"He focused on what he was doing.

He knew that he had to go out there and deliver and it's a song that we all love. It was a great tribute to Natalie.

"He stepped up big time, but as he said, he's still got a lot more to give."

She added: "Robert is so exciting when he sings, and whatever he sings, he always performs it so well."