Sussex Pop Idol contestant Chris Hide survived another week on the TV show despite biting criticism of his live performance.

All four judges on the ITV1 programme lambasted Chris' version of Elton John's hit, Circle Of Life, on Saturday night.

However, Chris, 18, from Lancing, was not evicted in the phone vote, leaving him one step closer to fame and fortune. The Boundstone College A-level student's jaw dropped in amazement when show co-host Ant McPartlin revealed he had survived.

His performance in front of millions of viewers had been derided by judges Neil Fox, Pete Waterman, Nicki Chapman and Simon Cowell.

Nicki said his voice was not consistent. Pete said he struggled to attain notes, while Neil said he had chosen the wrong song.

Cowell was unrelenting in his criticism about Chris, originally dubbed "the vicar" because of his looks. To boos from the audience, he told Chris: "It was absolutely terrible.

"If I was watching at home I would be thinking, 'What the hell is going on?'. I didn't hear a single note in tune."

All eight contestants had to choose an Elton John song.