Louis Tomlinson admits he was ‘terrified’ performing on The X Factor just days after his mum’s tragic death

LOUIS Tomlinson has admitted that he was utterly "terrified" about performing on The X Factor just days after the tragic death of his mum.

The One Direction singer, 25, bravely chose to perform his first single on the ITV show as a final wish from his mother.

Joanne Deakin died aged 43 on Wednesday 7 December following a long battle with leukaemia.

Louis has since revealed that he was incredibly nervous before singing and that the moment passed by in a blur.

Speaking on , he said: "I was terrified at the time, but it was a real moment and it really helped me going out and having Steve there with me. It was my first performance, I wasn't completely alone, so that definitely really helped."

Last week the grieving singer spoke for the first time since his X Factor performance and said that his mum told him he must "keep going" when he felt like "throwing the towel in".

He commented: "It’s not something that I feel 100 per cent comfortable talking too much about but just quickly, when I first found out the news I kind of did want to throw the towel in,” he said on SiriusXM Radio.

“But it was my mum who said to me that I’ve just got to keep going, telling me very sternly that she wanted me to. So I’m not doing it for her but…”

Speaking about the X Factor performance, he added: “It was tough, but I felt like it was nice for me to almost have a little send off for her.”

Louis was flooded with praise following his faultless performance of his new track with  DJ Steve Aoiki, Just Hold On.

As Louis was applauded by the crowd, X Factor boss Simon Cowell shared his pride in him, saying: “Louis, I have to say I’ve known you for six years.

“The bravery of what you’ve done. I respect you as an artist, as a person and your mum was so proud of you and she was so excited for the performance.”

He added: “She’s looking down on you tonight.”

Meanwhile, Louis also spoke out about fatherhood in the radio interview this week, and asked if he’d ever want more kids, Louis replied: “Definitely in the future…yeah.

“At the moment I’ve got Freddie and I’m focusing on my career.”

Louis previously thanked his fans for their support following his X Factor performance, and tweeted at the time: “That was harder than I ever imagined.

“I want to thank everyone around me and all of the amazing fans out there that made that so special!

“Feeling so much love around me and my family. Mum would have been so f***ing proud (sorry for swearing mum) love you!

“Also @Steveaoki, you have been such a rock and inspiration throughout this! Pure talent and a real gent.”

He later tweeted: "The support for Just Hold On has been unbelievable. I was nervous about doing something on my own but you lot have given me somuch confidence.

“So again thanks ! You’re all siiiiiiick."

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