Ryan Dunn

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER

Debut: Nicole Scherzinger made her debut performance as a solo artist on last night's X Factor

It has been in the works for four long years, but last night Pussycat Dolls star Nicole Scherzinger finally made her eagerly-anticipated debut as a solo artist on the X Factor.

The 32-year-old put on a spectacle for her first live performance of new single Poison, complete with pyrotechnic lighting, full size cage and a stage full of scantily-clad dancers.

Nicole has been working on material for the album since 2006, shortly after the Pussycat Dolls hit the big time, but has suffered lengthy delays and frustrating setbacks along the way.

Caged: Nicole started off the performance in an enormous onstage cage with scantily-clad dancers

So it was unsurprising that she showed a little emotion after her performance of Poison, when she told X Factor host Dermot O'Leary, 'that was my first time performing that single live ever.'

The former guest judge brought the house down with her energetic routine which saw her first appear in a cage wearing a Catwoman-style leather trench coat and boots with long extensions in her hair.

She soon shed the jacket to reveal a skimpy red and black catsuit with sheer paneling that revealed her stomach and legs.

Catwoman: The Pussycat doll stripped off her black trench to reveal a red and black catsuit

After the crowd-pleasing performance Nicole said that she had been watching the show from her hotel room and that, 'all the finalists should be proud of themselves.'

Scherzinger, who was a guest judge during the audition stages, said later that she is backing Rebecca Ferguson, who she put through during the Manchester auditions, to win.

She told Konnie Huq: 'The person I was there for their first audition was Rebecca and I’ve always believed in her. Her voice is just timeless and classic and I don’t know another voice like it in our generation. It’s timeless.'

Nerves: The energetic performance was Nicole's first time performing the single Poison live

Spectacle: Lighting and scantily clad dancers accompanied the singer

But Nicole added that she couldn't see herself dueting with Rebecca as she'd prefer to just listen to her sing.

Someone she could record with though, is 17-year-old Cher Lloyd: 'I saw Cher in the hall and I thought, I might have a spot for you on one of my songs.

'She is such a dope super fly rapper and that is one thing that I am not good at!'
The evening's standout performance followed UK boy band The Wanted with their single Lose My Mind and tween heartthrob Justin Bieber.

Raunchy: Nicole writhed onstage in an energetic routine in the skimpy costume and knee-high boots

Extra attention: Despite Louis Walsh's well documented crush, it was Simon who received a wink from Nicole during the song

The 16-year-old Canadian performed a medley of his hits Baby and Somebody to Love but may have annoyed some of screaming fans by hitting on Cheryl Cole after his performance.

The teen, who has spoken of his crush of the 17-year-old in the past, said: 'I want to say hello to hello Cheryl Cole, hello,' he said, waving at the judge from her seat and raising his eyebrows.

While Cole laughed from her seat, the outgoing youngster motioned for her to 'call me,' while Dermot quipped 'what a precocious young man.'

Proud: Lewis Hamilton watched from the audience

There are reports that a young girl fainted outside the X Factor studios earlier while waiting to meet her idol.

Bieber had some advice for the finalists, telling Konnie Huq on the Xtra Factor: 'I think that you should just remember where you came from and always put God first, because without him we wouldn’t be there.'

Crowd favourites One Direction, who have been compared to Bieber, received a nod from Nicole Scherzinger, who said they are 'The cutest of all the cuties.'

Heartthrob: Justin Bieber had the female audience screaming, but only had eyes for Cheryl Cole

If her boyfriend Lewis Hamilton is worried about her remarks about the youngsters, he didn't show it.

The Formula One star was in the audience to support his girlfriend, returning the favour after she put in several appearances backing him during the Grand Prix this year.

It was a big night for the singer, who saw her debut album Her Name is Nicole, slated for release in 2007, delayed several times before being shelved by her record company.

She has said in the past that although she loves the Pussycat Dolls, whose hits have included Don't Cha, Stickwitu, and When I Grow Up, she doesn't feel 'fulfilled' by the music and wants to branch out.

Rumours of fighting within the group have circulated for a few years, with reports that the other members were resentful of the attention lavished on their 'lead singer.'