A Jewish X Factor hopeful’s run in the show came to an end last night as he and his singing partner were eliminated.

Jack and Joel, who were wildcard entrants, received the fewest votes after performing The Edge of Heaven on Saturday night, as part of George Michael week.

Joel Fishel, 22, grew up in north-west London and is a member of the Masorti New North London synagogue.

He met Jack Remington at the University of Oxford, where they were members of an acapella group, before forming Jack and Joel.

The pair’s exit was received with surprise by viewers after they won praise from judge Nicole Scherzinger, who compared Mr Remington’s voice to that of Michael himself.

She said: “You sounded Wham!-azing, I just wanted to say, Jack, that when I closed my eyes I thought George Michael was in the room.”

Louis Walsh added: “You are like a modern-day Wham!, I suppose. I can see you having a great future in television.”

The pair, after they learned of their departure, said they were still discovering their identity as artists.

In a surprise twist, Simon Cowell revealed that only one act would leave the show on Saturday night, with another following on Sunday.

Sean and Conor Price, the Cutkelvins, Matt and Rak-Su were all declared safe, while Kevin Davey White picked up the most votes from the public.