Weeks spent dishing out frank assessments of performers’ live singing ability mean Cheryl Cole’s own voice has a lot to live up to.Last night she ruled out the possibility of anyone finding fault by miming parts of her X Factor performance.
After initially denying that she had mimed any of the song, show insiders finally admitted that she may not have sung every single note.
The main event: Cheryl Cole performed her new single Promise on tonight's X Factor, wearing a sexy combo of an ivory jacket with black bandage strips wrapped all the way up her legs
Fans were a little more black and white. They took to the internet to say they were convinced that the Girls Aloud singer mimed her vocals during last night’s performance.
What fans at home were not told is that her entire performance was recorded before the show started. It appeared to viewers that she was performing the song live. But in reality her routine had been recorded in front of the studio audience about an hour before the show began.
The performance represented Miss Cole's singing comeback coming just three months after she nearly died from malaria.
The 27-year-old was given a massive platform to promote her new single Promise This and the new album on last night's show.
Tricks of the trade: But the singer appeared to be miming parts of the track, which she pre-recorded an hour before the show went on air
The real star of the show: She was surrounded by an army of backing dancers as she stepped from behind the judges desk to take centre stage
Given how stricken the singer was in the summer the performance still represented an amazing comeback for the star.
She was given a rapturous applause from the studio audience and looked to be relieved to have completed her return when she finished the song.
Miss Cole donned a white jacket, stripey stockings, a tutu and boots for the routine and was joined by an army of dancers as she jumped around the stage.
With her hair dyed red she was surrounded by dancers in black suits with kipper ties who were seen praying behind her for the routine.
All in a day's work: She was given a rapturous applause from the studio audience and looked to be relieved to have completed her return when she finished the song
Excuses, excuses: ITV claimed the decision to pre-record the show was made as it was impractical for Miss Cole to carry out her judging duties if she was also singing on the show
Her performance came on the same show that singer John Adeleye become the latest contestant to be voted off.
The wannabee pop star who was being mentored by Louis Walsh suffered after his routine came under fire for a distracting dance performance on Saturday night.
ITV claimed the decision to pre-record the show was made as it was impractical for Miss Cole to carry out her judging duties if she was also singing on the show. They did the same when she performed Fight For This Love on the show last year.
Friendly chat: Cheryl speaks to host Dermot O'Leary after her high-energy routine and breaths a sigh of relief
