Cheryl Cole Proves She's Got The X Factor With Live Solo Performance - Pictures

Cheryl Cole answered her critics by singing live on The X Factor on Sunday.

The Girls Aloud star wowed the studio audience with a rendition of her debut solo single Fight For This Love, which included a high octane dance routine.

And her performance even managed to impress her fellow X Factor judge Simon Cowell, who described it was “incredible”.

Cole had come under fire last week amid reports she planned to mime her pre-recorded performance on the show.

Cheryl Cole performs live on The X Factor.

But the singer, who was dressed in a red military jacket and slit black harem trousers, sung the opening chorus live last night.

As well as judges Cowell and Dannii Minogue, Cole was watched from the audience by her Girls Aloud bandmates and footballer husband Ashley Cole.

She told host Dermot O'Leary after her performance that she felt “fantastic”, adding: “I've really enjoyed myself.”

Girls Aloud cheer on Cheryl Cole after her X Factor performance

Fight For This Love has been tipped for the top spot this week.

But the song looks set to face competition from 2008 X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, who is currently number one with Bad Boys.

Cheryl and Girls Aloud