X Factor ratings get a boost as 9.8million viewers tune into judges revealing their final 12

As the tension rose as the judges picked their final 12 acts on The X Factor, so have the viewers.
An average of 9.8million viewers tuned in to watch Tulisa Contostavlos, Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh whittle down 25 acts to 12 in various glamorous locations around the world.
Including audiences for ITV1+1, there was a total of 11.2million who watch Tulisa break down in tears over her decision to leave Amy Mottram out of her three 'girls'.

Newfound fame: GMD3-(L-R) Micky Parsons,Dan Ferrari Lane and Greg West at BBC Radio 1 studio on Monda

Sunday's episode attracted 36.6 per cent of total viewers, but was still 2million down from the same stage in the competition last year.
After being revealed last night following weeks of secrecy, some of the acts were out and about in London today enjoying their newfound fame.
Louis's three groups GMD3, MK1 and Union J all made an appearance on BBC Radio 1 to talk about their joy at progressing to the live shows.

The cast has gone! MK 1's Simeon Dixon's broken leg appears to be healing well as he posed with his bandmate Charlotte Randel

Two of Nicole's Boys, James Arthur and Rylan Clark were spotted outside their central London hotel hiding under an umbrella.
On Saturday night, former judge Cheryl Cole's cameo appearance boosted the show's audience slightly to an average 8.7 million viewers.
This was up by nearly half a million viewers on last week's episode, ITV said and it saw a peak audience of 9.7 million.

Teen favourites: Union J (L-R) Jamie Hamblett, George Shelley, Josh Cuthbery and Jaymi Hensley

Despite this weekend's good figures, ratings are still below the 2011 series which pulled in an average 11.1 million viewers before the live shows last year.
However, in spite of the lower figures, ITV pointed out that the latest edition was the highest-rating show on British TV last night, nearly three million higher than the next nearest show.

Singer Cheryl made her return to the show on Saturday night as a guest mentor to help her pal Gary Barlow, after her departure nearly two years ago.
But as she helped Gary  whittle down six acts to three for his Over 28s, she spoke of her relief she wasn't returning to the show full-time.

As the Take That was seen mulling over the six acts following their performances in the 'judges' houses' stage of the competition, she joked: 'I'm so glad I have a car coming soon.'

Cheryl famously left the show after the 2010 series to be a judge on X Factor USA last year.

However she was fired from the USA show after just a few weeks on the job, amidst rumours Americans had struggled to understand her Geordie accent.
Simon Cowell's talent show is set for another ratings battle next weekend as Strictly Come Dancing returns to screens on BBC1.

Help: Cheryl Cole's appearance on Saturday night's X Factor helped boost the show's ratings