Cheryl Cole and Daniel Pearce The X Factor's new show format isn't the only thing throwing up surprises this year.

Former Popstars: The Rivals runner up Daniel Pearce has shocked Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh by rocking the floorboards at the new auditions.

Way before her days as a fashionable glamourista, queen of the Wags and global pop superhottie, Cheryl Cole and the rest of Girls Aloud began their ascent to chart success on a little programme called Popstars: The Rivals.

Up against the girls were a five piece boyband called One True Voice whose songs were, let's be frank, a bit rubbish. That isn't to say their members weren't talented though, and so it's no surprise to see Daniel Pearce try out for this year's X Factor.

Daniel sung Seal's 'Kiss From A Rose' and reportedly received a standing ovation from the crowd, as well as a 'yes' from all four judges.

Cheryl told him: "I always thought you were fantastic," while Simon blasted Louis Walsh (who managed Girls Aloud after the original show) for "letting Daniel go."

Last year a member of ex-boy-band Phixx and Popstars alumni Nikk Mager auditioned for the X Factor judges, but Cheryl found the moment too emotional and burst into tears before refusing to judge him.