The teenager received the lowest number of votes of the four contestants and ended up in the sing-off with fellow contestant Rachel Tucker.

But Andrew Lloyd Webber saved Sam — sending Rachel home — keeping her dreams alive.

'When they said she was in the sing-off everyone in the audience couldn't believe it,' said Sam's dad, Richard.

'There was a big gasp. It was a massive surprise. Obviously the Isle of Man is giving her a massive percentage of the votes and getting behind her more than we could ever have imagined. Not being able to vote was the spanner in the works.'

According to Richard, some Manx mobile phones had no network coverage at the crucial time on Saturday night when the votes had to be phoned in.

He said: 'You could vote on your landline but not on your mobile phone. We've had about 100 people say to us, "why couldn't we vote for her?".'

A Manx Telecom spokesman confirmed there was a software fault that affected Pay As You Go mobile phone customers, which resulted in loss of service. However, she said the problem was resolved before the end of the voting time of the programme.

Samantha's performance of When You Believe from The Prince of Egypt earned her some of the best feedback she's had in the series.

John Barrowman said: 'I thought that showed some vulnerability — it didn't break my heart, but it doesn't matter — that was a powerhouse performance.'

Denise Van Outen praised Samantha's 'likeability factor'.

Her series-long fan, Barry Humphries, told Sam she was 'the bee's knees and the cat's whiskers'.

Oliver! producer Sir Cameron Mackintosh joined the panel this week for the first time. He complimented Sam's performance, telling her: 'I saw vulnerability in the first part of the song, but as you went for the money note I lost that. Next week, because I'm sure you will be here, I want to hear a dramatic song which shows you understand the hard life that Nancy has gone through.'

Andrew Lloyd Webber also expressed his confidence in Sam.

'I think if you were to win this, because the show doesn't open for six months, you've got the time to really learn. I believe you've got the vulnerability — we've just got to find a song that shows it,' he said.

Richard said Sam was pleased with her feedback. He said: 'The judges were very positive and we were all very, very happy with it. Samantha was absolutely delighted — it couldn't have been better. The song went very well and the duet was very good with Jodie.'

Richard said: 'She's over the moon that she's in the final and very happy to be there. She can't believe it.'

Manx voters have to give one final huge amount of support this week to help Sam reach her goal.

'We're going to have to give it a big push this week,' said Richard.

'I know we can do it because she's got through every week up to now. If everyone votes for her she stands a chance. It's proved how tremendous the support is.

'She'll give it 110 per cent.'

Sam, from Douglas Road, Laxey, performs on I'd Do Anything for the final time on Saturday at 6pm, with the results show at 8.45pm.

See this week's Manx Independent for an exclusive interview with Sam and a fabulous double-sided poster.