Kent's X Factor contestants have made it through the first of the live show rounds.

The county had members of two bands among the hopefuls for their first live shows.

Only the Young, featuring 17-year-old Charlie George from Chartham, sang old classics Jailhouse Rock and Twist and Shout.

Simon Cowell praised the performances, saying: "They weren’t the most original songs, but you do love stuff from the past and I think it was smart doing it because it lifted the show.

"I think with the right person looking after you, which would be me, you have a massive chance in the competition."

Mel B said she had really loved the act from day one, but claimed they didn't hit the mark.

Charlie, from Chartham, learned to play guitar and piano at The Canterbury Academy, where he studied music, music production and performing arts.

His career has also included stints on the West End stage in Oliver! at the Theatre Royal and in Macbeth at Shakespeare's Globe.

Meanwhile a band formed specially for the show, now called Stereo Kicks, wowed all but Cheryl among the judges.

Stereo Kicks features Wilmington lad Charlie Jones, 14.

He was joined by Barclay Beales, Chris Leonard, Casey Johnson, Jake Sims, James Graham, Tom Mann, and Reece Bibby for their first on-stage performance.

Louis Walsh hailed them the next big boy band after they sang Katy Perry's Roar to huge roars from the audience.

Simon said after the performance: "This is exciting for me, because I am seeing something potentially very good."

But Cheryl was luke warm over the act, saying they could have done something different with the track.

Charlie is a pupil at Wilmington Grammar School for Boys in Common Lane, Dartford, and started his career by uploading videos of him singing and playing the guitar on YouTube.

Both acts made it through tonight's live results show, which saw two of the 16 acts exit.

Blonde Electra were first to be given the boot, followed by boyband Overload Generation in a deadlock vote, meaning Louis Walsh has already lost two of his acts.

Immediately after the vote, Only the Young tweeted their fans, saying: There aren't any words. THANK YOU SO MUCH. We are SO SO grateful to everyone for your support! Can't wait for next week..."

Stereo Kicks tweeted simply: "So excited for next week now."