SPOILER: X Factor USA teen breaks down on stage (VIDEO)

A 13-year-old hopeful in American version of The X Factor has collapsed sobbing on stage after being knocked out of the contest, prompting concerns about exploitation of the young hopefuls.

Rachel Crow was sent home after judge Nicole Scherzinger refused to choose between her and Marcus Canty, deliberately sending the vote to deadlock - which revealed that the teenager had the fewest votes.

On hearing the bad news, the youngster slumped to the ground and dissolved into tears - prompting her mother to run on stage to comfort her.

Show host Steve Jones moved to comfort her but was beaten to the punch by head judge Simon Cowell, who shielded her from the cameras as he gave her a hug.

Rachel's was quickly on the stage reassuring her that everything was going to be okay, and between sobs Rachel could be heard replying: "Mommy you promise me?... Promise me?"

The lower age limit for the show in the US is 13, whereas in the UK it is 16.

See the unhappy moment for yourself...

Sugababe Heidi and fiancé split

Sugababes star Heidi Range and her TV and Radio personality fiancé Dave Berry have announced that they have parted company after eight years together.

The couple, who got engaged on New Year's Eve in 2009, actually split up in the autumn, but have kept the news under wraps until now.

Heidi, 28, posted on Twitter: "Very sadly, after eight years together, myself and Dave decided to separate a few months ago.

"I wish him nothing but the best in life x."

And a spokesperson for Dave, 33, said: "Dave Berry announced today that his engagement to partner Heidi Range has been broken off.

"Mr Berry announced the news today although the couple agreed to separate in the Autumn.

"The split is amicable and no third parties are involved and he will make no further statement on the issue."

Sarah Harding: 'I was such a mess before rehab'

Sarah Harding has opened for the first time about her messy pre-rehab life.

The Girls Aloud singer has for some time been known for her love of the party lifestyle but revealed the boozing got out of hand after the break-up of her relationship with then-fiancé Tom Crane.

Amidst rumours of rowing about her partying, Sarah and Tom called off their engagement in September.

Soon afterwards, Harding checked into rehab in search of treatment for depression and alcohol addiction.

Speaking to Hello! magazine, Sarah explained, "I was so down but I just tried to keep busy and, to numb myself, I was drinking more. It was my way of escaping.

"One minute I was deliriously happy, to the point of hysteria, and totally in denial about my problems saying, 'I'm fine, I'm fine'. The next it hit me - and when it did, it hit me hard."

The tipping point came when Sarah's Girls Aloud pals Kimberley Walsh and Nicola Roberts invited her for dinner the day after a heavy fashion night out.

"I wasn't in a good state at all," Harding told the mag. "I was very hungover. But the first thing I wanted to do was open a bottle of wine. I know they were really worried about me."

She went on, "The day I left for rehab, I was such a mess... I was crying hysterically. I felt ashamed, embarrassed, terrified - my emotions were all over the place."

With a stint in rehab under her belt, Sarah hopes to make a fresh start, and added, "I've turned 30 now and, although there will always be a bit of the rock chick in me, I'm trying to embrace my softer and more feminine side."

We wish her all the best.

X Factor voting revealed: Janet was early fave

She was tipped as a potential winner way back in the audition stages of this year's The X Factor, but it is only now that the strength of early support for Janet Devlin has been revealed.

The 17-year-old from County Tyrone topped the voting for the first FOUR WEEKS that the public were allowed to have their say, only slipping to second spot the following week on Amelia Lily's triumphant return.

Unfortunately her fall from grace was then quite rapid, and she was sent home by the judges two weeks later when she found herself in the sing-off with Misha B - having forgotten her words the previous night.

Interestingly, the voting figures also reveal that only three acts took the top spot in the voting over the entire series.

Janet was up there for four weeks, Amelia Lily for two and Little Mix for three - including the last week when it counted the most.

Although runner-up Marcus Collins never topped the voting, he did have the most second places - being number two for three weeks.

Cher brushes off Chelsea boy Spencer

Cher Lloyd has rebuffed the advances of Made in Chelsea reality star Spencer Matthews, declining his offer of a snog under the mistletoe.

The former X Factor contestant - who is dating hairdresser Craig Monk - was unimpressed when informed by a TV reporter that self-styled playboy Spence had been sniffing around her.

She said: "Really? Oh lovely. I don't really have much to say to that. I couldn't say I'm thrilled."

And she then apparently did her best hooray Henry impersonation.

Spencer had professed his admiration for the Swagger Jagger singer whiel appearing on T4, saying: "I'm a big Cher Lloyd fan. I like Cher Lloyd."

And asked if he fancied a sneaky snog under the mistletoe with her, he replied: "Yes I would."

Sorry Spence, doesn't look like it's going to happen old chap.