Former pop stars Lee Latchford-Evans and Michelle Heaton have defended Cheryl Cole’s performance on last week’s X Factor show.

The former Liberty X singer, Michelle Heaton told The Sun: “I don’t know whether she pre-recorded it, but it was a live vocal, so technically it was live performance. She sounded good and her dancing was fabulous.

“There’s a divide in opinion about how well Cheryl did but most of people criticising her are either jealous or haven’t taken to Cheryl.”

Ex-Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans added: “It’s not to do with her performing skills or her talent, it’s how to get herself out there and build the Cheryl Cole brand.

“She did as well as she could do. She’s no Mariah Carey but she’s a great performer and I thought the routine was fantastic.”