Cheryl and Simon are back in town for The X Factor launch

The countdown to the comeback of X Factor's finest is on, as the judges walked the red carpet for the launch of the new series which begins on Saturday.

After Simon Cowell criticised her "crazy" outfit choices on the US X Factor in an interview earlier this week, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini arrived at the event in London's The Ham Yard Hotel in a classy monochrome outfit.

The pop star wore a black Jason Wu pencil dress with a white colour and added a splash of colour with bright red lipstick and manicure.

Cowell arrived with his girlfriend Laura Silverman, who is mother to their baby son Eric and the pair put on quite a display of affection as they smooched in front of the cameras.

The music mogul was in his trademark high-waisted trousers and open necked shirt with several buttons undone.

Cheryl's new husband, French restauranteur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini preferred to stay out the limelight and let his wife get on with the posing as he watched from the sidelines.

While new judge Mel B was noticeably absent from the event - the former Spice Girl is currently filming America's Got Talent in the US - veteran Louis Walsh was back again despite having announced last year would be his final series.

Mel B retweeted a post from Syco Entertainment which read: "The judges, @radioleary and @DJSarahJane are in the house! Missing you @OfficialMelB @TheXFactor #XFactor."

Host Dermot O'Leary was joined by the new Xtra Factor host Sarah-Jane Crawford, who replaced Caroline Flack on the ITV2 show.