The X Factor Celebrates Ten Years with Star Studded Anniversary Show

Celebrating ten years of tears, tantrums and top ten hits, Saturday's (23 November) X Factor was a star-studded night to remember.

The inimitable Sharon Osbourne promised it would be a celebration like no other. "Noone gets a party started like Mrs. O. It's going to be fabulous," she said.

With a roll-call that included some of the shows biggest success stories, The X Factor paid tribute to the stars and judges, past and present.

Opening the show, special guest and former X Factor finalist and The Xtra Factor show host Olly Murs performed his new single Put Your Hand On My Heart.

Reminiscing about his association with the show, Murs said: "I remember getting a few moans from Simon a couple of times, but I loved the show. I had such a great experience. Even seeing all the crew, the camera guys, being back on the Xtra Factor. I just love the show. It's been a pleasure and it started my whole career for me."

With the theme, ten years of The X Factor, in a nostalgic sing-off the acts channelled performances from past winners to fight it out for a place in the final five.

Former X Factor winners Joe McElderry, Alexandra Burke, Shayne Ward, Little Mix, Olly Murs and international singing sensation Leona Lewis turned out to support the acts vying for this year's X Factor crown.

2009 winner Joe McElderry gave Nicholas McDonald some helpful hints ahead of his performance of the Miley Cyrus song The Climb, covered by McElderry in 2010 and scoring him a number one on the UK singles chart and the Irish singles chart.

"It was great for me to come back and give him a bit of advice," said McElderry. "The fact that I was able to do it for him and people did it for me when I was on the show. It was a really nice feeling. "

Championing McDonald, who was also celebrating his 17th birthday, judge Louis Walsh said of the young singer's performance: "I've been doing this ten years and you're one of the best vocal contestants I've ever worked with on the show."

Hannah Barrett meanwhile, was in raptures on coming face-to-face with her idol, 2008 winner Alexandra Burke, who was instantly won over by the 17-year-old student's rendition of Burke's Christmas hit, Hallelujah. After hearing Barrett's performance, an emotional Burke said simply: "You're gonna be fine."

The star attraction on the tenth anniversary show was 2006 winner Leona Lewis, who turned mentor for singing prison officer, Sam Bailey. The 36-year-old mother of two performed the track Bleeding Love, which was a number one hit for Lewis in 33 countries.

Impressed by Bailey's powerful vocal range, Lewis commented: "Her voice really suits that kind of song. I just hope she's confident enough to put her own spin on it."

While 16-year-old Tamera Foster caused a sensation by forgetting her lyrics for the second time running, the new line-up of judges turned the attention back to the show's ten year celebration, as they recalled their personal highlights.

Take That singer Gary Barlow, who joined the show in 2011, recalled his first day as a judge. "I remember the first day I started and I was doing alright in my career," he said. "I remember being chased around the arena by Goldie Cheung and I remember thinking 'What am I doing here?"

Vamping it up in a floor length, flowing black gown, with multiple slashes and splits, stunning ex-Pussycat Doll Nicole Sherzinger cited last year's win as a show highlight when the 35-year-old beauty mentored James Arthur to victory. " When my two boys came first and second last year," she said.

Mentoring the girl's category this year, Scherzinger remains confident of holding onto her crown as reigning winning judge. "The winner? Mrs O has one girl and I have one and I'm not sure which of them is going to win. It would be nice if Mrs O won as she hasn't yet,' she admitted recently.

Also among the X- Factor alumni joining the party were Amelia Lily, Rylan Clark, Chico and Essex-based double act Two Shoes.

Watch The X Factor Live results show on ITV1 on Sunday 24 November at 8pm.