Lucy Spraggan has withdrawn from The X Factor.
It has been widely rumoured in recent days that Spraggan was not well enough to return to the competition. She was given a free pass to this weekend's show after being unable to perform last weekend due to ill health.
The X Factor has now released an official statement confirming that Spraggan has left the show.
"Lucy isn't well enough to perform this weekend so she has decided to withdraw from the competition," it said. "We are all sorry to see her go and wish her all the best for the future. She has been a fantastic contestant."
Spraggan also released a statement following her decision to leave the show. She thanked her fans and said that it is only fair for her to withdraw.
She said: "I am gutted not to be able to continue on this journey but I'm not well enough to perform. To accept another free pass having missed last weekend would not be fair on the others in the competition. I wish them all well.
"I would like to express my thanks to everyone who has supported me. There is no way that this setback will prevent me from fulfilling my ambition. You'll be hearing from me again very soon."
Mentor Tulisa said that she is "sorry" to lose Spraggan from the show and hopes to continue mentoring her in her music career.
"I'm so sorry to lose Lucy from the competition," she said. "I have had a brilliant time working with her and I hope I can continue to mentor her in the future. I now count her as a friend as she is an amazing girl."
Spraggan had been due to return to rehearsals on Wednesday (October 31) but had to cancel due to exhaustion.
It had been noted that the singer had not confirmed her return this weekend and had not posted on her Twitter account since October 24.
Fellow contestant and close friend Rylan Clark took to Twitter after the news was announced.
He posted: "Gonna miss u being with me so much @lspraggan I love you x"
It has been confirmed by the ITV1 show that no act will return to replace Spraggan and one act will still leave the competition on tomorrow night's (November 4) results show.
Spraggan has not been far from controversy during her time on the programme, having been evicted from the contestants' hotel alongside Clark for their drunken antics. Both apologised for their behaviour on the show.
The X Factor continues tonight at 8.20pm on ITV1.
Posted: Sat Nov 03, 2012 4:00 pm