Christopher Maloney has finished third in the 2012 final of The X Factor, following the first elimination of the weekend on Saturday night's show. The Liverpudlian - who had been the only remaining over 25 in the contest - lost out after a final which saw him perform the 80s hit Flashdance and duet with mentor Gary Barlow on the Take That song Rule The World - in front of a crowd of 10,000 at Manchester Central. As a result either James Arthur or Jahmene Douglas will be crowned winner of the series on Sunday night. Christopher made it through to the final thanks to a following which kept him out of the bottom two despite constant criticism from the judges throughout the live shows. He said afterwards he was delighted to have made it as far as he did. "I feel like I've already won - the critique and the lies and the negative press - I have won," he told Dermot O'Leary, "I am the third finalist and that's fantastic." "Thanks to everyone who supported me." His departure now means that Nicole Scherzinger will automatically be crowned winning mentor on Sunday night regardless of whether James or Jahmene take the title. Earlier on Saturday Chris had performed a camp rendition of the 80s hit Flashdance - which saw him emerge from a giant ghetto blaster - as well as teaming up with Gary Barlow to sing Take That's Rule The World. He told Gary it had been an "honour" to peform on stage with him - while the other judges who had been so critical of him earlier in the series were kinder on Saturday night. "You have come such a long way, you are a fighter and I respect that," Tulisa told him, while Louis Walsh added, "You are in the final, everyone in Liverpool is cheering. You always come out fighting and deliver." Afterwards Chris assured his followers that they hadn't seen the last of him. Speaking on The XTra Factor he said, "Thank you so much for supporting me, it's not the end for me, it's just the beginning."
