Ruth Lorenzo is voted off X Factor

3:32pm Sunday 30th November 2008

X Factor hopeful Ruth Lorenzo became the eighth contestant to be booted off the show.

The buxom Spanish singer bowed out gracefully after receiving the least amount of public votes.

She said: "I fought with all my heart, with everything I had. And this doesn't end here. This is the beginning of my dream.

"All I can say is thank you so much. I never ever dreamed of this ever."

With judge Simon Cowell looking on wistfully, she then belted out another performance of Bon Jovi's Always.

Earlier Cowell praised the 26-year-old for her determination and effort.

Looking emotional, Dannii Minogue, who has mentored the contestant, said she had "an incredible vocal".

"She was the most beautiful person to work with. She's going to be a friend forever," Minogue said.

Saturday's show saw Britney Spears making her first UK television performance in over four years.

Dressed all in black, with hotpants, fishnet tights and knee-high boots, the pop singer mimed her way through her current single Womanizer.