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By SARAH BULL
Racy in lace: Cheryl Cole appeared to have cheered up as she arrived in Liverpool with X Factor finalist Rebecca Ferguson today wearing a daring pair of patterned tightsShe had looked anything but happy as she left the X Factor studios on Sunday night.
But today Cheryl Cole appeared to have cheered up as she joined show finalist Rebecca Ferguson on her homecoming trip to Liverpool.
Wearing a pair of racy black lace tights with daring red heels and a chic cream and black coat, Cheryl smiled widely for photographers as security guards helped her through the crowds of fans who had queued for hours to catch a glimpse of the X Factor judge and her 24-year-old protégé.
Walking the walk: Rebecca and Cheryl both seemed in good spirits on their trip up northWhile in Liverpool, Rebecca visited her former school Gateacre Comprehensive, and will perform a special free concert for fans at Liverpool's Echo Arena later today.
Wearing a cute beige dress with a chic black coat to keep her warm, Rebecca looked overwhelmed by the amount of support she received from her fans, who had made signs and banners for the occasion.
All of the show's finalists today visited their home towns ahead of the final.
Mobbed: Thousands of people turned up in an attempt to catch a glimpse of 24-year-old Rebecca
Popular: Rebecca couldn't believe how many people had turned out to give their support ahead of the X Factor final this weekendWhile Rebecca was in Liverpool, One Direction headed to Doncaster, where they performed at Louis Tomlinson's old school, Hall Cross School.
And tomorrow night, Matt Cardle will perform a special concert for fans in his hometown of Colchester, Essex.
He wrote on his Twitter page: 'Homecoming... more than a little bit excited. Who's coming down? :) x'
Hugs all round: Rebecca's two children (left) were among the hoards of crowds who arrived for her homecoming
School days: Rebecca also returned to her former school. Gateacre Comprehensive, in LiverpoolRebecca found out she had made it through to next weekend's final on Sunday, when the judges decided to send Mary Byrne home over Cher Lloyd.
After being told she was safe, Rebecca wrote on her Twitter page: 'I just want to thank everyone who has voted for me I'm so so greatful (sic).'
But despite Rebecca and Cher meaning Cheryl has two acts in this year's final, the judge failed to muster a smile as she was spotted leaving the X Factor studios on Sunday.
Time to take to the stage: Fans had queued for hours to get tickets for a surprise gig held by Rebecca at Liverpool's Echo Arena
Emotional: Rebecca struggled to hold back tears as the magnitude of the situation overcame herEarlier she had arrived at the venue looking grim-faced and did not look in the best of moods during the show either.
You'd have thought having reportedly signed a £3million deal to join the judging panel on the U.S. version of The X Factor would have been enough to cheer her up, but maybe the drama of Cher coming in the bottom two for the second time was weighing heavy on her mind.
Cheryl has also received yet more praise from one of her biggest fans Will.i.am, who says she’ll be a massive success in the U.S.
She's in there somewhere! Several policemen and women had to help Rebecca get safely to the performance
Off she goes: Rebecca got a police escort to the Arena to ensure she got there on timeThe Black Eyed Peas star, who performed on last night’s X Factor, told the Mirror: ‘Cheryl’s going to be great in the U.S. I’m looking forward to her coming over.
‘It don’t matter that she’s British – she could be Chinese, Mexican, Cantonese or whatever… she’s got great songs and looks fantastic, so that’s all that matters.
‘She’s going to be a massive success over here. Everything she touches turns to gold and I’m here to look after her so she’s going to be absolutely fine.’
Heartthrobs: One Direction performed a special gig at the former school of bandmate Louis Tomlinson (far right)
Scream! The five-piece band were greeted by screams and cheers from the crowd at Hall Cross SchoolBut that doesn’t seem to be enough for the Geordie, who looked noticeably upset that her protégé Cher was in the bottom two.
Despite being saved by fellow judges Dannii Minogue and Simon Cowell, who voted for Cher to proceed to the final while Mary Byrne went home, Cheryl was clearly upset by Cher Lloyd’s lack of public votes.
But even if Cher doesn't win the series, reports say she's set to collaborate with her mentor regardless of her place in the final.
Having fun, boys? The band appear to be loving every second of their new-found fame. They were greeted by screams as they arrived for a signing at HMV in Bradford
Overwhelmed: Louis and Zain both looked stunned by the amount of people who turned up for the signingSimon Cowell confirmed that Cher and Cheryl will duet on a track together, which will feature on the 17-year-old first album, the Daily Star reported.
But the pressure seems to be mounting for Cheryl and even before the live Sunday night show, the judge looked sullen as she entered the studios in the afternoon.
With her eye-catching, bright red earrings and equally boldly-coloured boots, her festive outfit wasn't enough to distract from her brooding expression.
Glum: Cheryl Cole was spotted looking miserable as she left the X Factor studios in Wembley, London, after Sunday night's show
Camera shy: Cheryl avoided making eye contact with photographers as she kept her head down while talking on her mobileShe finished off her smart yet casual look of jeans, T-shirt and tuxedo jacket with a flash of bright red nail polish, to try and lift her spirits.
But the Promise This singer had clearly left her festive cheer at home as she arrived at Fountain Studios.
Getting out of her car, the judge and singer glowered at the waiting photographers before heading in to get started on last night's episode of the ITV show.
Finalists: Cher Lloyd and Matt Cardle were also spotted arriving for rehearsals at the studios earlier todayAnd it emerged yesterday that 17-year-old Cher Lloyd exploded at a member of the show's production staff and One Direction's Louis Tomlinson during rehearsals for Saturday night's episode.
Described 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.
source: dailymail [endtext]
