Sputtering disaster Nicole Scherzinger had forced the bottom two -- Rachel and Marcus Canty -- into DEADLOCK by pretending to refuse to send either person home...but ultimately choosing Rachel.

CNN: 'The X Factor's' shocking elimination

" X Factor" chief Simon Cowell is seeking to fill the judges panel spots vacated by Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger before the second season starts production later this year.

CNN: LeAnn Rimes interested in 'X Factor' judges post

His campaign was blighted by multiple visits to the stewards' office and a highly-publicized spat with Ferrari's Brazilian driver Felipe Massa, and he had a high-profile split with pop star girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger.

CNN: New car gives McLaren confidence to end Red Bull dominance