X Factor host Olly Murs broke down in tears after his former bandmate Jon Goodey failed to sail through to the next round of the show.

Olly, who presents the ITV show alongside his former Xtra Factor host Caroline Flack, was excited to see the IT salesman at the London auditions as The X Factor kicked off tonight.

The pair used to perform as the Small Town Blaggers, and father-of-one Jon applied for the show to follow in the footsteps of his pal, who found fame after finishing as runner-up in the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009.

Jon Goodey
Jon Goodey (Syco/Thames TV)

But the 27-year-old’s rendition of OneRepublic’s Counting Stars failed to impress the judges, with Simon Cowell saying: “There’s a reason why you’re not in a group now.”

Rita Ora added: “You lack star quality needed to be a performer. But you can sing.”

Olly admitted it was “devastating” to see his friend get rejected by the judging panel, which also includes Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Nick Grimshaw.

“I was devastated. It was horrible. The judges have to do what they have to do, but it wasn’t very nice,” he said.

Louisa Johnson
Louisa Johnson (Syco/Thames TV)

Two female singers got standing ovations and the judges squabbling amidst four yeses – 25-year-old dental receptionist Lauren Murray, and 17-year-old Essex student Louisa Johnson.

Cheryl said of Lauren’s rendition of Jocelyn Brown’s hit Somebody Else’s Guy: “You’ve made me excited to get a category. I would love to mentor you,” with Rita teasing: “We might have to fight for this girl.”

Louisa’s performance of Michael Jackson’s Who’s Loving You wowed all four judges, with Simon saying: “That’s what you call a singer. That was an incredible performance. I really want to mentor you.”

Cheryl added: “You are a little superstar.”

Mason Noise
Mason Noise (Syco/Thames TV)

Other acts who have got through to the next round include Filipino girl group 4th Power, Essex teacher Dani Clay, politics student Tom Bleasby, Birmingham waiter Mason Noise, gym receptionist Tom Davies, retired twerking grandmother Susan Pryce and carer Jennifer Phillips.

The second episode of The X Factor will air at 8pm on Sunday.