THE dream is over for Southampton's X Factor hopeful Tom Mann after his boy band Stereo Kicks was voted off the programme last night.

Having sung I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz, they fell foul of the public vote after the judges were split between the eight-strong band and 17-year-old Lauren Platt.

Simon Cowell had the critical vote to either save the group or force a deadlock and defer to the public vote.

He said: ''The act that sang the best on the sing off was Lauren,'' voting to keep her in the competition.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini stood by her act Platt but told the boy band they had talent and could still grow.

Louis Walsh also stood by his act, Stereo Kicks. Mel B voted in favour of the boys too, apologising to Fernandez-Versini before she said she had to vote for Platt to leave.

Some members of the boy band wept as their X Factor stint came to an end but said they were thankful to have been on the show.

Speaking on the Xtra Factor afterwards, Cowell told Walsh his poor song choice was to blame. But Walsh insisted: ''I did 100 per cent the best I could and they know that. They'll tell you that later.''

Tom, a Southampton football coach who lives in Chandler's Ford, appeared in last year's competition as a solo artist.

Only four acts now remain in the competition: Platt, Andrea Faustini, Ben Haenow and Fleur East.