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

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She's famous for the skin-tight rubber dresses she likes to wear.

But when Katy Perry was choosing what she should wear to perform on Italy's version of The X Factor, she perhaps hadn't taken into consideration that she would have to sit on a giant banana.

That was the conundrum that 25-year-old Katy faced last night as she arrived on the set of the show wearing a figure-hugging pink rubber dress with her new favourite Chanel striped wedges.

Careful, Katy! Miss Perry struggles in her skin-tight rubber dress as she sits on a giant banana for an interview on Italy's X Factor

Comfortable? Katy steadies herself with her hand as she sits with host Francesco Facchinetti

But, ever the professional, Katy managed to maintain her modesty by steadying herself with her hand as she sat on the giant prop for her interview.

And while the dress showed off Katy's amazing figure, which she has worked so hard to achieve ahead of her wedding to Russell Brand later this year, the singer admitted she wasn't feeling particularly body-confident.

She wrote on her Twitter page: 'ITALY! I'm on #xfactoritaly tonight! The show's already started, I go later! I've eaten everything in sight tho, feel like a beached whale:)'

Professional: But Katy quickly saw the funny side and managed to remain upright

Oops! The singer goes to start falling off the banana, but manages to stop herself

Despite her feelings about her figure, Katy confidently took to the stage to perform a lively rendition of her single California Gurls - much to the delight of the audience.

Flanked by four sexy dancers in fluffy pink outfits, Katy smiled and laughed as she sang the track on the candy-floss inspired set.

Meanwhile, Katy has announced she will be the musical guest when the new series of Saturday Night Live premieres on September 25th.

Performance: Katy sang an energetic version of her hit single California Gurls

'Beached whale': Despite the dress showing off Katy's enviable curves, she said she felt like a beached whale before going on stage

She will be joining the show's veteran star Amy Poelher on the programme, but it is unclear whether Katy will actually be taking part in any of the series's famous sketches or simply performing.

Katy wrote on her Twitter: '"OKAY! My BIG surprise is I'm opening the season of SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE on September 25 W/SNL Alum Amy.'

Other celebrities who have appeared on the show include Cameron Diaz, Lindsay Lohan, Justin Timberlake and Megan Fox.

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