Cheryl returns to The X Factor for the first live show to support boyfriend Liam Payne

CHERYL has returned to The X Factor for the live shows which start tonight.

She went along to support her boyfriend Liam Payne who is performing live, but some fans hoped she might be standing in for Simon Cowell who was forced to pull out following a fall.

Arriving at the studios this evening, Cheryl, who helped Simon pick his acts at the Judges' Houses stage of the competition, smiled and posed for pictures with fans backstage.

Liam's mum and dad are also at the studios to watch the former One Direction star perform for the first time on the show as a solo artist.

Simon is missing the first live show of the series after suffering a nasty fall.

The Sun revealed on Friday how 58-year-old Simon was rushed to hospital after fainting and falling down the stairs at his home in London.

The accident happened after Simon had woken up feeling dizzy.

As he went downstairs to get himself a drink Simon lost consciousness and fell backwards on the flight of steps.

After undergoing tests he returned home and confirmed he would miss the show tonight but would return tomorrow to watch his category perform.

This year’s live shows have been cut from ten to six with acts voted off on both Saturdays and Sundays.

Star guest artists will perform on both days, with tonight Liam  taking to the stage to sing his new track Bedroom Floor.

In just one of many shake ups this year, Simon discourage novelty acts like Honey G, who came fifth last year.

A source told The Sun: “They are doing the Thorpe Park auditions early on too, because producers think the unconventional location will create some funny footage.

“They want to get shots of the judges on white-knuckle rides. Ultimately, show bosses are determined to make another star.

“They don’t want the show to be a laughing stock again like it was with Honey G.”

Simon also confirmed that he had axed the jukebox gimmick.

Speaking at auditions in July, he said: “All these crazy things we used to do with themes have gone, no more jukeboxes, none of that rubbish this year.

“The public are smart enough to know what’s real, that’s what we are focusing on this year.”

Show bosses have also revamped the format this year by letting fans backstage.

Special tickets will allow audience members to “rub shoulders” with hopefuls in a special holding room before they even perform. It's not yet officially been announced how fans can get tickets.

The show is encouraging contestants to sing their own songs this year.

A source told the Mirror: "Simon knows he can’t change the format too much but one thing he and the contestants can change is what’s sung.

“If there’s lots of new material it could attract a new audience.”

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