X Factor 2010: Cher makes her comeback but Mary and Aiden steal the show (and there's not a word about Gamu)

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By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

A star is born: Cher Lloyd fought back from last week's criticism to give an 'incredible' performance on last night's X Factor live show

It's not been the easiest of weeks for Cher Lloyd since she was chosen by Cheryl Cole to go threw to the X Factor live show.

She has faced unbridled criticism over the decision and there were fears for her health as some suspected that she may not be able to handle the pressure.

But last night, the 17-year-old silenced her critics after she performed an 'incredible' live performance on last night's show.

Cher was the seventh act to take the stage in London last night and the audience, judges and viewers at home waited with baited breath to see how her performance would turn out.

And if she was nervous, there was no way of knowing as she put on a stunning performance that left the judges in no doubt that the right choice had been made.

The young girl from Malvern, Worcestershire, oozed confidence as she strutted on the stage with six backing dancers before launching into her version of Dub Be Good To Me, a hit song for Beats International in 1990.

And the judges had nothing but praise for her as she excitedly waited for their verdict at the end of her song.

What a show: Cher came out on stage and posed on a frame surrounded by six backing dancers

Confident: Cher showed no nerves as she strutted her stuff on stage

With a big smile on his face, Louis Walsh - who this year is mentoring the Over 28s group - said: 'For such a little girl, you've got an incredible stage presence, and that could be a number one.'

Dannii Minogue, who is mentoring the boys, said: 'I absolutely loved that, you were so watchable, you sounded fantastic, you were a star and commanded that stage.'

Simon Cowell, who is in charge of the groups, added: 'Any doubts anyone had about why this one [Cheryl] picked you a couple of weeks ago have just been blown away.

'You are exactly what we are looking for, which is a new little star.'

And Cher's mentor Cheryl couldn't have looked more pleased with her prodigy, as she said: 'To get up there after all the pressure you've been under says you're a star.

I love watching you, you're cool, current, young and just what this competition needs.'

A happy-looking Cher then said: 'That felt wicked, I've proved myself now.'

Standing ovation: Mary Byrne brought the house down with her version of James Brown's It's A Man's Man's Man's World

But while the anticipation over her performance may have been the talking point of the night, not a word was said about former contestant Gamu, who many felt should have been chosen to go through instead of Cher and Katie Waissel.

And putting the controversy fully out of everyone's mind were two other acts who managed to steal the limelight last night.

Mary Byrne - who is being mentored by Louis Walsh - brought the house down with her note-perfect and sensational rendition of James Brown's It's A Man's Man's Man's World

The 50-year-old Tesco worker from Ireland, looked stunning with her hair swept back in a plaited bun on her head as she filled the room with her powerful voice which received a standing ovation from the audience which seemed to go on for ages.

Reunited: Judges Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell head to their seats for the first live show

Dannii said: 'You have brought the house down here. Mary, I can only say that is one of the best vocal performances on the show. It would be an absolute crime if you went back to your day job.'

Simon added: 'We've had some real diversity but regardless of age, people love a trier and you came out here tonight and you gave it 110%.'

And Louis gushed: 'The Tesco lady from Dublin has become a diva! I am so so proud of you Mary, I so believe in you.'

Another act who generated a huge buzz was 18-year-old Aiden Grimshaw from Blackpool after his amazing performance of the Tears For Fears song Mad World.

Louis said: 'We have found something special in this guy, one of the best performances of the night.'

And Dannii was very excited about the youngster and gushed: 'Aiden that performance had legs and such substance, but there's also this incredible vulnerability.

Blackpool - turn the lights on, Aiden is here!'

Pop star quality: Aiden Grimshaw from Blackpool blew the judges away with his version of Mad World by Tears For Fears

All-singing, all-dancing: Boy band F.Y.D were the first to peform

First to take to the stage last night was one of Simon's acts, boy band F.Y.D, who sang Billionaire by Travie McCoy - and then sparked a debate between the judges over their singing and dancing.

Louis said: 'What a brilliant opening to the show, loved the song choice, styling, choreography - but I think you're probably better dancers than singers.'

Dannii added, 'Just be careful you don't do too many dance moves that interrupt the singing', but Cheryl said: 'For me personally, you need to move some more!'
Up next was one of Dannii's acts, Matt Cardle, who sang When Loves Take Over by David Guetta.

Simon told him: 'This was a genius choice of record. If you put this record out now, in a week's time you'd have a monster hit.'

It was then the turn of one of Louis's acts, John Adeleye, who sang Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's One Sweet Day, and was told by Cheryl: 'I love that song and you sang it beautifully and if I had to sum you up in one word it would be gorgeous.'

Monster hit: Matt Cardle was told by Simon that his version of When Loves Take Over by David Guetta would be a huge success

Gorgeous: John Adeleye wowed the judges with his version of Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men's One Sweet Day

Talking of gorgeous, 24-year-old Liverpudlian Rebecca Ferguson was up next and sang Footsteps by Womack & Womack.

Her earlier nerves had been replaced by radiance and confidence as Dannii told her: 'I love your voice, but I also love you. I wanna see you grow more and more very week', while her mentor Cheryl added: 'I can't heap enough praise on you.'

Loius's act Storm Lee was up next and went all rock and roll as he sang Starship's We Built This City, his face brightly painted.

And Simon told him: 'It is what it is. Louis has turned you into something out of Batman and the performance is very 70s glam rock - but I don't think you had much choice.'

Confident: Rebecca Ferguson was praised for her version of Footsteps by Womack & Womack

Glam rock: Storm Lee sang an energetic version of Starship's We Built This City

Up next were Simon's girl band Belle Ami, who sang Airplanes by B.O.B and were praised by Louis for looking as though they were 'having a really good time'.

And Simon added: 'A show like this needs girl power. I think there's a place for you right now. You can rap and you can sing. I really hope you're given a shot.'

Next up was the first 'wild card' of the night, Diva Fever, who arrived on stage in suits before whipping them off to reveal tight t-shirts and cycling shorts underneath.

Louis told them: 'You put a smile on everyone's face and have brought the fun back to X Factor.'

Simon added: 'I think the world has become a boring place and the music business should be fun and entertaining and it always makes me smile when you perform.'

Having fun: Belle Ami were tipped to be the next big girl band

Bringing the fun back: Diva Fever brightened up the night with their version of Sunny

Another wild card was up next, Paije Richardson, who was given another chance by Dannii and who sang Killing Me Softly.

Louis said he reminded him of a 'soulful, cuddly Luther Vandross' while Simon called him 'infectious'.

Katie Waissel was up next and took to the stage in a Gwen Stefani-meets-Lady Gaga outfit and played the keyboard and sang her version of We Are The Champions by Queen.
Louis said: 'I thought you were more style than substance and after that, I haven't really changed my mind'

Dannii added: 'Vocally that was fierce - my negative is, I don't get the whole look.'

Cuddly: Wild card Paije Richardson was compared to Luther Vandross

Signor Italiano: Nicolo Festa sang Lady Gaga's Just Dance

Coldplay cuties: One Direction sang Viva La Vida

Italian Nicolo Festa was next on and sang Just Dance by Lady Gaga and was told by his mentor Dannii: 'You sound fantastic. You, as I said, you are my big risk but I love that about you.'

Simon's other boy band One Direction were next up and sang Coldplay's Viva La Vida, and were told by Louis that they had made it their own, while their mentor said: 'What was so impressive was that when one of you screwed up at the end, Liam jumped in and brought it together, that's what bands do.'

Louis's wild card Wagner left the judges and the audience laughing with his mash-up of Ricky Martin's She Bangs and the B52's Love Shack.

Bonkers: Wagner performed a mash-up of Ricky Martin and the B52s

Dannii told him: 'Having to compose myself, just when you think it cannot get any crazier! A medley with a bongo thing in the middle? Yeah! Entertaining. It was fun.'
Simon added: 'The most bonkers performance I have ever seen in my life - but embrace the madness.'

And last but not least was Cheryl's wild card Treyc Cohen who wowed the crowd with her version of
One by U2, with Cheryl telling her: 'I actually feel like the luckiest judge tonight because that was incredible.'

The first finalist will be eliminated after a public vote on tonight's live show at 8pm.