The super sub! Tulisa Contostavlos makes her return as an X Factor judge... after Mel B's dramatic hospitalisation due to illness
Ailing judge Mel B was forced to miss Saturday night's X Factor final due to illness but Tulisa Contostavlos was on hand to fill for the Spice Girls.
Tulisa made a confident return the judging role as she supported Italian finalist Andrea Faustini in his mentor's absence.
The N-Dubz singer ensured she came back with a bang as she donned a standout Stella McCartney mini dress for the big night.
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She's back: Ailing judge Mel B was forced to miss Saturday night's X Factor final due to illness but Tulisa Contostavlos was on hand to fill for the Spice Girls on Saturday night
It was as if the star never left as she sat alongside Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Louis Walsh.
Her return received a mixed response from viewers as one tweeted: 'Oh Christ alive. As if Cheryl Fandango Virtuoso isn't bad enough, Tulisa's back. #XFactorFinal'.
Another wrote: 'Always liked Tulisa as a judge on xfactor! She should come back next year!!'
Happy to help: Tulisa made a confident return the judging role as she supported Italian finalist Andrea Faustini in his mentor's absence
Fierce: The N-Dubz singer ensured she came back with a bang as she donned a standout Stella McCartney mini dress for the big night
Host Dermot O'Learly tagged the singer as the show's 'super sub' as the judges all sent Mel B their best wishes.
At the start of the show, Dermot said: '
'We received a note late last night that Mel will be unable to be here. She is obviously absolutely gutted about it,' he announced.
'We wish her a speedy recovery and she will be watching from home. We have a super sub who knows all about the job.'
The former Spice Girl received medical attention on Friday, just 24 hours after she was onstage with her X Factor finalist, Andrea Faustini, at the Royal Albert Hall.
Sitting pretty: It was as if the star never left as she sat alongside Simon Cowell, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Louis Walsh
Leggy display: Her return received a mixed response from viewers as one tweeted: 'Oh Christ alive. As if Cheryl Fandango Virtuoso isn't bad enough, Tulisa's back. #XFactorFinal'
Shock: Mel B missed seeing her act end up coming third on the show as she watched on from home according to Dermot
All the best: Host Dermot O'Leary wished Mel a speedy recovery as show got underway on Saturday evening
A welcome return: Tulisa was delighted to be back on The X Factor stage following a turbulent year away from the spotlight
'Mel B is in hospital and we're hoping she returns tomorrow,' Jonathan Shalit, OBE told MailOnline on Saturday.
She was unable to support her act at a pre-finals press conference the same day, however, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was on hand to show support for Andrea - despite a rumoured feud between the judges.
On Saturday Cheryl tweeted: 'Absolutely gutted Mel is not able to make it tonight after all the love and hard work she has put into getting Andrea here'.
The former Girls Aloud star has denied any sort of feud with Mel. At a press conference on Thursday, Cheryl said: 'Why would there be tension?'
She continued: ‘We are very straight talking. Our approach is obviously very different on the show. Woman to woman. There was no calling out as such, it's something I would say to her.
Sudden: The judge was taken to hospital on Thursday after attending an event at the Royal Albert Hall with her finalist Andrea Faustini the night before
‘You get into that moment where you're passionate about your acts but it's not personal. In fact it's the least personal it's ever been this year.’
Cheryl was reportedly furious with her fellow judge for voting against her act Lauren Platt two weeks ago in favour of boyband Stereo Kicks.
The 31-year-old singer couldn't understand why Mel, suddenly changed her mind about Stereo Kicks after complaining for weeks that she was not a fan of the eight-piece boyband and voted for them to stay, rather than Lauren, after the sing-off.
Unclear: Mel's need for medical care is uncertain, but there are reports suggesting she is suffering from 'extreme exhaustion'
Hopeful: Mel's manager says that they are hoping she'll be well enough for the final show of the series
A show source exclusively told MailOnline: 'Cheryl was annoyed with Mel for voting Lauren out as she had said she didn't like Stereo Kicks for weeks and then voted to save them and send Lauren home.'
The source added: 'Cheryl didn't understand why she did that and wasn't impressed with Mel which was obvious for all to see at the show.'
Indeed, Cheryl sniped on-air: 'I find it amazing that the critiques has been a certain way over the last few weeks, then when it comes to this part and it changes, that amazes me.'
Cheryl was said to be so hurt and upset that she refused to sit next to Mel on The Xtra Factor, following the main show.
Feud: The Spice Girl's illness comes just after reports of a rift between her and fellow judge Cheryl Fernandez-Versini
Civil relationship: Cheryl admitted, ‘We are very straight talking. Our approach is obviously very different on the show. Woman to woman. There was no calling out as such, it's something I would say to her'
While the reason for Mel's hospitalisation has yet to be confirmed, The Sun have reported that the judge is suffering from 'extreme exhaustion.'
The newspaper also claim her husband Stephen Belafonte has been by his wife's side as the medical team work hard to help her recover in time for the final X Factor show of the current series.
For now, Tulisa Contostavlos has been called into replace Mel and mentor Andrea during Saturday night's first live final.
Cheryl and Louis Walsh have no acts left in the competition, so the Italian singer will face off against Simon Cowell's Over 25s Fleur East and Ben Haenow for the coveted record deal prize.
Subbing in: Tulisa Contostavlos is filling in for Mel on the panel for Saturday night's final
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