Louis Tomlinson has shown some of the grace and gratitude he is well known for and thanked X Factor boss Simon Cowell this afternoon.

Exactly two years ago the handsome singer auditioned for The X Factor as a solo singer and got a yes from the music mogul along with fellow judges Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger, meaning that he had won a place in bootcamp.

At the next stage he almost got sent home, but after being turned down as an individual contestant, the hunk was instead asked to join Harry Styles, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Zayn Malik in a band named One Direction.

The rest, as they say, is history and Louis is now a member of one of the most famous boybands in the world, with a chart topping album under his belt as well as a number of hit singles and even his own doll!

It never would have happened without his first audition, for which he chose the song ‘Hey there Delilah’ and even though Steve Brookstein criticised it at the time and perhaps his tuning wasn’t all that wonderful, we think you’ll agree that there was something pretty cute and loveable about Louis on the day.

This afternoon Tomlinson thanked the X Factor judges for giving him a chance, tweeting:

‘Two years ago today Simon Cowell Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh said yes at my audition. Seems like a lifetime away! Been a lot of fun!!’

Watch Louis’ video and leave your comments on his X Factor anniversary below….