Nicole Scherzinger consoled by teenage X Factor reject Rachel Crow

Rachel spent an hour-and-a-half in Nicole's dressing room trying to tell the former Pussycat Doll that she forgave her for the decision that ultimately got her the boot.

'Nicole cried for an hour and a half - she was devastated,' Rachel said.

'I love her, she has the biggest heart and she's just beautiful on the inside and out.'

Fan favourite Rachel became the most shocking elimination to date on the hit show after Nicole sent her home - producing a deadlock in the judges votes that left it up to America to decide based on the previous night's phone-in votes.

Host Steve Jones had to tell Rachel she was leaving the competition.

But Crow was magnanimous in defeat telling her fans: 'Don't Blame Nicole!'

Backstage Nicole told cameras: 'I couldn't make that decision on my own. I didn't want either of them to go home.

'Then I saw the look in her eye. I didn't send her home, I adore Rachel - when I saw Rachel's look in her face I died inside.'