NEW YORK – Scott MacIntyre was sent packing from “American Idol” on Wednesday after his poorly received performance of “The Search Is Over,” leaving seven finalists in the hit talent show’s competition.

The 23-year-old man from Scottsdale, Arizona, who is legally blind, was eliminated after four judges split on whether to use their once-per-season veto power to keep him in the running.

“This is really tough,” Simon Cowell, one of the judges, said at the end of the live broadcast before finally declaring: “Someone’s got to make a decision here, and I’m going to say it’s the end of the competition. Sorry.”

Cowell called the choice of the song by the rock group Survivor boring and even horrible.

MacIntyre was on the brink of elimination in recent weeks.

“You’ve been an inspiration to the entire world,” said Paula Abdul, another judge.

“This was not the right song for you, but it doesn’t diminish your talent,” said Abdul, who added. “You are one classy gentleman.”

Full Story@ Reuters