Afnan Iftikhar has been voted off television talent show Superstar.

Afnan, 23, from North Shields, ended up in the bottom two after failing to win enough viewers' votes.

But after a sing-off performance of Memories, from the musical Cats, Andrew Lloyd Webber decided to save fellow finalist Dirk Johnston, 24, from Crieff, Scotland, who went through to the next stage of the ITV1 contest.

Afnan may get a consolation prize however - as judge Dawn French joked during the live show that she was so upset at the prospect of someone leaving, that: "Whoever does go, I'm going to buy them a house, or a kitten. Actually, just a kitten."

The remaining contestants are again competing for votes to stay in the competition.

Asked by host Amanda Holden what qualities he was looking for in the performer who will take the lead role in a new production of Jesus Christ Superstar, Lord Lloyd- Webber replied: "Tremendous charisma and a great vocal voice - it has to be someone who really can sing."