X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Rita Ora and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini lost composure as they watched aspiring singers audition.

The TV mogul appeared visibly affected by 21-year-old Josh Daniel’s emotional rendition of Jealous by Labrinth, which also moved Cheryl to tears.

Explaining his choice of song at the Manchester audition, the car mechanic from Durham said: “I lost my best friend a couple of years ago and I interpret the lyrics in a completely different way.”

Josh Daniel singing on X Factor
(ITV)

Cowell bit his lip and appeared to wipe away a tear during Josh’s performance which got a standing ovation and three yeses from the judging panel (Rita Ora was absent due to a schedule clash).

The X Factor auditions at Event City in Manchester were postponed after the death of Simon’s mother Julie Brett, 89, on Sunday July 5. Friends said he was “completely heartbroken”.

Simon left comments on Josh Daniel’s heartrending audition to his fellow judges Cheryl and Nick Grimshaw. “That really got me right in the heart,” the BBC Radio 1 DJ said.

“That was the most captivated I’ve been in all the auditions so far,” the Geordie star added before she asked to give Daniel a hug.

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini gives Josh Daniel a hug
(ITV)

As Cheryl headed to the stage, the 32-year-old gently placed a hand of support on Simon.

The head judge gave Daniel a wink before leaving the panel. A concerned Cheryl said “leave him” as he walked off alone.

Tears also flowed at the SSE Arena in Wembley during 24-year-old Seann Miley Moore’s audition. The Australian, now living in London, hit all the right notes with his version of Queen’s The Show Must Go On.

He sobbed as a tearful Rita Ora told him: “There is nothing I can say to you apart from I am so happy you came on this show!”

Seann Miley Moore performing on X Factor
(ITV)

Other aspiring singers through to the next round of the ITV show included 21-year-old Brighton market trader Chloe Paige who impressed with her version of Katy B’s Crying For No Reason and London boy band The First Kings.

The five lads wowed with a professionally packaged audition to Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk featuring Bruno Mars that incorporated their own introduction VT and choreographed backing dancers.

To cheers, Rita Ora exclaimed: “Mash it up, mash it up, mash it up – boom! That for me mashed it up.”

The First Kings perform on the X Factor
(ITV)

The third episode of The X Factor will air at 8.15pm on Saturday September 5.