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By SARA MCCORQUODALE
Bah humbug: X Factor judge Cheryl Cole accessorised with red but left her smile at homeWith her eye-catching, bright red earrings and equally boldly-coloured boots, one might assume Cheryl Cole is starting to feel the buzz of Christmas.
She even finished off her smart yet casual look of jeans, T-shirt and tuxedo jacket with a flash of bright red nail polish.
But the 27-year-old had clearly left her festive cheer at home as she arrived at Fountain Studios for tonight's X Factor.
Getting out of her car, the presenter and singer glowered at the waiting photographers before heading in to get started on tonight's episode of the ITV show.
Perhaps Cole is concerned about her contestants - and in particular, her apparent protege Cher Lloyd.
It emerged today the 17-year-old exploded at a member of the show's production staff and One Direction's Louis Tomlinson during rehearsals for last night's episode.
Tis the season: Cole brought some festive cheer to the show with her bright red earrings, boots and nail varnishDescribed by X Factor choreographer Brian Friedman as 'a meltdown', it is believed the teenage hopeful had to be taken aside and calmed by mentor Cole after screaming at a crew member, 'get out of my face'.
Lloyd was reportedly upset about the introduction to her song and her outfit for the performance.
Strained: Following a meltdown before X Factor's Saturday show Cher Lloyd looked tired as she arrived for tonight's round of the competitionArriving today, the contestant also looked strained and was typically casually dressed in a purple puffa jacket, jeans and Doc Marten boots.
She - like her mentor - did not smile for the paparazzi.
However, Lloyd must be feeling a surge of confidence in her ability after Simon Cowell admitted on last night's show he was a 'huge fan'.
Meanwhile, One Direction, Matt Cardle and Mary Byrne arrived at the studios looking as laid-back as ever.
Easygoing: One Direction members Harry Styles and Louis Tomlinson did not seem worried about tonight's showSmiling for the cameras and wrapped up warm, they did not appear to be worried about the verdict on their performances set to be announced on tonight's show.
Unlike the rest of the UK, which is waiting with bated breath to see which acts will go on to the next round in this year's competition - surely the most controversial of the series yet.
Confident: Mary Byrne and Matt Cardle looked equally optimistic about their performances as they arrived at the show's London studiosource: dailymail [endtext]
