But last weekend's shock vote made the gutsy Belfast singer, who's a favourite with the bookies, even more determined to pull out all the stops for last night's show.

Rachel's sister Margaret Kelly was part of the studio audience last weekend when Andrew Lloyd Webber saved her from the chop.

"It was absolutely terrible — we were gutted. She was a bit down in the dumps and it was heartwrenching," Margaret said.

The pair sat in Rachel's London apartment last Sunday, scrutinising the performance which failed to dazzle the voters.

"I thought she cracked on one of the top notes, but she pointed out another two or three things she hated herself for. She knows exactly where she went wrong which is good," Margaret admitted.

"She didn't feel she was herself performing, so hopefully she'll get back in this week and give it her all.

"Having said all that I honestly thought she was brilliant last Saturday."

Margaret also revealed Rachel's not happy with the songs which have been chosen for her throughout the show.

"I have her friends ringing me saying how did she get that? It's out of her control — there's nothing she can do!

"Last Sunday she was even more peeved off when she got her song for this weekend. It's a run of the mill song."

After the traumatic sing-off last weekend, Rachel now joins Bangor girl Niamh Perry in being a sing-off survivor.

And Margaret revealed that the families have bonded. She revealed: " Last weekend we got closer and had more chance to talk. I got speaking to Niamh's dad and let's just say we now know how they feel or how they felt two weeks ago when Niamh was in the bottom two.

"It's not nice. Obviously everybody wants their daughter or sister to win so we do have a lot more in common now that's she's been in the bottom two."

But Margaret also thinks that having two Ulster hopefuls puts both girls at an disadvantage.

"I think it boils down to the size of Northern Ireland. There are two Northern Irish girls in the show so the votes are being split.

"It's totally going against them both."

In an effort to remind people to vote for Rachel, her friends and family organised a rally outside Belfast City Hall last Friday afternoon.

But even if Rachel doesn't win the coveted role of Nancy, Margaret says Rachel won't give up her West End dream.

"The first thing would be a holiday I would imagine after being stuck in that house for six or seven weeks.

"After that I would say she's going to have plenty of offers — hopefully!"