Sharon Osbourne: (Introducton) Well, my next young lady, who's about to perform for you, has waited her entire life to be here, truly... and she really deserves to be here. She's an amazing young woman. Maria.
Intro clip... Maria: I want this more than anything and I've sacrificed so much to be here.
Sharon Osbourne: She got married, got through to the finals.
Maria: My husband's not allowed to come and stay. It's all been pretty full on. But he knows that me being here makes me happy because I'm fulfilling my dreams.
Sharon Osbourne: She's fantastic and I think that there is a gap in the marketplace for somebody of her age and her ability and what she does. How great to have our own Beyoncé.
Maria: I've got this storm built up inside of me now and it just has to come out, but I want it more than anything.
Maria sings...
Kate Thornton: Okay, Louis your comments please?
Louis Walsh: I'm absolutely speechless because this girl has walked out and she's just... You've done an amazing performance. Great song... you, you remind me of any American diva, anybody out of Destiny's Child.
Maria: Thank you Louis.
Louis Walsh: You have... Maria, you're technically fantastic, I hope you're not too good, but I think you're fantastic. (Cheers)
Maria: Thank you so much, I really appreciate that.
Kate Thornton: Simon?
Simon Cowell: Ah, I hate to say it, but I agree with Louis. Ahm, I think it's very rare in this country that you do find somebody as good as you. I think you were very nervous tonight. I think we've seen 50 per cent of what you're potentially able to do. But you are someone who could bring... a shock each week to this competition. And I hope you stay in this competition, because I think you're really good.
Maria: Arrh, thank you Simon. Thank you very much Simon.
Kate Thornton: Sharon?
Sharon Osbourne: Ah-ha, Maria! (Maria laughs) Maria, I just, I'm so proud of you. I know how nervous you were before you came on. I mean I've... I've watched you all week, but you delivered, and I just want to say something, to everybody at home really, not just to you... but you are so beautiful, you've got an incredible voice, you're young, I mean you've got a body to die for you bitch! (Laughter) Anyway, I don't want people at home to think, oh, she's got it all... you know we needn't vote...
Maria: I need votes.
Sharon Osbourne: ...because she's got it all. We need those votes.
Maria: Please. Please vote...! (Big cheers)
Sharon Osbourne: You were brilliant.
Kate Thornton: Thank you very much judges. Thank you. (Kate walks over to Maria, centre stage) How are you doing darling?
Maria: (Welling up) Oh god.
Kate Thornton: (Arm around Maria) You okay?
Maria: A little bit. (Laughs)
Kate Thornton: A little bit emotional up here!
Maria: A bit emotional but I'm just so honoured to be here you know. (Pushing back the tears)
Kate Thornton: Gobsmacking comments Maria?
Maria: Yeah.
Kate Thornton: And I don't know if everybody, ahm, appreciates this but you... we know that you got married. And...
Maria: (Smiling) Yeah, my husband's over there (Points). Love you Ben...
Kate Thornton: ...rather than starting married life... we've moved you into a house with all the other male contestants.
Maria: (Laughs)
Kate Thornton: So you live with a load of blokes, none of them whom are your husband...
Maria: Yeah.
Kate Thornton: ...and you haven't seen him all week.
Maria: Yeah, and I miss him dearly! (Shot of Ben)
Kate Thornton: (Still hugging Maria) So, ahm, yes...
Maria: Yeah, but I want this more than anything. (Cheers) This is my dream and I just hope to god...
Kate Thornton: All those sacrifices were worth it, yeah?
Maria: ...yeah. Oh I'm so glad I came back another year and I'm so glad to be here. I feel so honoured.
Kate Thornton: Okay, well, ladies and gentlemen, she's given up a lot to be here tonight so give it up for her. It's Maria!