Cheryl Cole faced a real challenge this year during her time as an X Factor judge. During the Manchester auditions, Cheryl met a face from the past in the form of Nikk Mager. Nikk got through to the live finals of Pop Stars The Rival six years ago with Cheryl, but while she went on to become one of the most famous women in Britiain, Nikk faded into obscurity and has been singing in Working Mens clubs ever since.

Before he began his audition Nikk stated:

“It’s weird for me and I’m sure it’ll be weird for her” says Nikk, “6 years later she’s in the biggest girl band in the country and I’m playing working men’s clubs, I fit in between the Bingo.” And after admitting that this is his last shot at fame Nikk launches into a rather poor rendition of ‘The Rose’ by Bette Midler.

As you can imagine, it is bad enough having to destroy the dreams of complete strangers, but the pressure got too much to bear when Cheryl was faced with the prospect of telling an old friend to give up on his dream. So she took the easier route and left the judes table, refusing to offer an opinion on Nikk’s performance.

Unfortunately for Nikk, the other judges were not so kind.

Louis admitted:

“I honestly don’t think you have a great voice, you’re a nice guy but you won’t win this competition.”

Dannii said:

“Your voice isn’t strong enough to get through the competition and you look too old to fit into a boyband, I would struggle to place you”

Simon ended the audition, saying:

“O.K, I can make this straight forward, the competitions have gone up and you haven’t got IT and it’s time to stop chasing this dream and do something you’ll be happy in and not frustrated, it’s gone on long enough now and I can tell you by that audition you haven’t got it in your voice and I don’t think you ever will.”