X Factor 2015: One Direction's Liam Payne throws support behind Reggie and Bollie

Reggie and Bollie proved their credentials as potential winners of this year’s X factor - even managing to impress One Direction’s own Liam Payne, who was watching on.

“I didn’t like it – I loved it”, said the 1D man after the twosome had performed a mash-up of his band’s track What Makes You Beautiful and OMI’s Cheerleader, and Simon Cowell was similarly impressed.

“On paper, this shouldn’t work, but I loved it”, Cowell said, before calling it, “one of my favourite performances of the whole night”. Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was similarly enthused, telling the duo that they “absolutely stole the show”.

Nick Grimshaw was enthused if a little bemused, and admitted that he “never thought [he’d] dutty wine and skank to One Direction”.

Louisa Johnson also shone, her rendition of Michael Jackson’s Billie Jean received a standing ovation from Rita Ora, Grimshaw, and Fernandez-Versini. The latter told Louisa: “Me spine was tingling, everything was going. Your vocal blew everything else on that stage out of the water”.

Even Cowell was moved to say: “You are ridiculously good. I love moments like this, when we discover someone like you. You have the potential to be someone very, very special.”

Cowell was less enthralled by Seann Miley Moore, who performed a version of California Dreaming in a kimono while surrounded by fluttering cherry blossom.

“You have an amazing presence… but that was lazy”, Cowell said. “That was you being very comfortable, very safe, very so-what. You need to have a word with your mentor, and say turn me into a pop star, not someone who just performs on a talent competition.”

Ora was more enthusiastic, describing Seann as “stunning to watch” and “intoxicating”. Fernandez-Versini backed her up, saying: “You perform with every ounce of your body. You’ve got it all, my friend. I was spellbound.”

It was a shaky week for wildcard entry Monica Michael, who was eviscerated by Cowell. “I hated it. Honest to god, seriously, I hope the public forget this tonight”, he said.“What’ve they turned you into? You’re not this person.”

Grimshaw agreed, saying that her slowed-down,flamethrower-assisted version of Beyoncé’s Crazy in Love “felt like a Beyoncé impersonation at times”.