STEREO Kicks remain an eight-piece band and bounced back from last week's disappointment on tonight's X Factor.

Speculation had mounted this week that unhappy mentor Louis Walsh was about to axe two members and Accrington teenager Reece Bibby was said to be on the hitlist.

But the ITV1 show judge apologised to his 'octo-band' and they responded with an impressive mash-up of The Beatles' Let It Be and Hey Jude, stripped back with some acappella highlights.

Ahead of the performance, Reece had said: "One thing we don't want to do this week is stand in a line."

And as the 12 remaining acts took on a Saturday Night at the Movies theme, Stereo Kicks got a rousing reaction from the judges.

Mel B branded it a 'great performance' and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini said: "That's a bit more like it. You got a reaction from the crowd. You can all sing so well done for doing it tonight."

The best reaction came from Simon Cowell who goaded Louis by offering to mentor the band, saying it was a 'disgrace' that Louis had questioned the size of the band last week.

Simon said: "Any time you want to leave Louis and come to me, I'll mentor you."

Louis declared the performance 'the start' of Stereo Kicks.