X Factor comeback kid Sam Black makes it to Live Shows

From Digital Spy

Sam Black has made it through to the X Factor live shows, after being brought at the Judge Houses stage despite being cut at Boot Camp earlier in the competition.

The 27-year-old plasterer from Merseyside was cut by Simon Cowell and the other judges after failing to impress during his live performance at Boot Camp. But after Anthony Russell pulled out of the show due to personal reasons, Sam was given a second chance.

And it seems that the second chance has paid off, as Louis chose to take Sam through to the live shows after he impressed him and guest judge Mika in Istanbul in tonight's (October 22) episode.

Sam performed 'Hard to Handle' by Otis Redding. "This could change my life in so many ways," he said before the performance.

"He just needs to believe in himself more," Mika said as he and Louis deliberated whether to send Sam through to the Live Shows. "He needs someone to say, 'You are a singer, not a plasterer'."

Well, it was Louis who would give Sam that confidence boost.

"We saw something in you, that's why we brought you back," he said. "The problem was, I've seen you mess it up on the big stage. And yesterday, it wasn't a great vocal.

"I can only pick people who I totally believe in."

But despite these risks, Louis decided to take a chance on Sam, who admitted: "I've never even really done a gig."

"It's not good news," Louis said in a classic bit of X Factor trickery. "It's great news."

Fans at home were relieved that Sam's comeback was set to continue: