They saved the best for last! Honey G DAZZLES viewers as she closes first X Factor live show with Tupac cover Simon Cowell admits he 'loved'

• e-mail

She shocked fans when she succeeded in the auditions.

And, once again, Honey G has surpassed expectations by dazzling X Factor fans on Saturday's episode of the ITV talent show.

The wannabe rapper, 35, closed the first live show with a rendition of Tupac's California Love which Simon Cowell admitted he 'loved'.  

Scroll down for video 

Potential winner? Honey G has surpassed expectations by dazzling X Factor fans on Saturday's episode of the ITV talent show

Taking to the stage in a gold tracksuit - which Nicole Scherzinger said made her look like a baked potato - she was on good form.

Wearing a studded baseball cap and high-top trainers, she added her trademark gangster sunglasses to the mix.

Flanked by a troupe of male dancers, she was also fanned by pyrotechnic props. 

Success: The wannabe rapper, 35, closed the first live show with a rendition of Tupac's California Love which Simon Cowell admitted he 'loved'

Fire-starter: Flanked by a troupe of male dancers, she was also fanned by pyrotechnic props

Emerging to a sea of cheers from the live audience, the aspiring chart star seemed utterly confident in her performance.   

Getting through it without any glitches, she received a rousing response from the judges and viewers alike.

In fact, Louis Walsh said: 'Tupac would be so proud of you for that - he would've loved it'. 

Praise: Louis Walsh said: 'Tupac would be so proud of you for that - he would've loved it'

Funny: Taking to the stage in a gold tracksuit - which Nicole Scherzinger said made her look like a baked potato - she was on good form

Following suit, Sharon - who is her mentor - assured her that Snoop Dogg would want to be recording with her by Monday.

But it was Simon Cowell's praise which topped the lot, when he said: 'I don’t know what’s just happened. But here’s the weird thing…I loved it.

'I just really like you. I thought you weren’t serious when you first came in. But now..I realise that you are!'. 

Star quality: Emerging to a sea of cheers from the live audience, the aspiring chart star seemed utterly confident in her performance

On form: Getting through it without any glitches, she received a rousing response from the judges and viewers alike

The unexpected result means that Honey G may actually be a serious contender for the winner's record contract with Syco.

'I’m so glad that Sharon has brought me onto this show,' Honey G said.

'And I’m just having the time of my life'.

Looking good: Honey G was certainly dressed for the occasion on Saturday night

Boyband trio 5 After Midnight kicked-off the debut live show to high praise - with Nicole responding flirtatiously.

Samantha Lavery, 17, then took to the stage with a more stripped-back look on the advice of Simon.

It comes after he criticised her excessive use of slap during the Judges' Houses.

Three's a crowd: Boyband 5 After Midnight were the first to perform on the live episode 

She delivered a moody version of James Arthur's track Impossible, which helped showcase her potential.

Louis, Sharon and Nicole were all keen to offer praise, while Simon was clearly delighted that his act offered a good start - albeit a nervous one.

'You were a bit shaky and shouted the lyrics a bit, but you have potential,' he said.

Less is more: Samantha Lavery, 17, then took to the stage with a more stripped-back look on the advice of Simon Cowell

Impressed: Simon was obviously happy with his own act's live performance   

Finland's Saara Aalto then performed a rendition of Let It Go from Disney's Frozen, which was described as a little OTT and theatrical.

Also generating criticism was Ryan Lawrie, who offered an middle of the road effort, despite his self-assurance.

Following suit was Gifty Louise, who earned herself a standing ovation from the four judges.

Dramatic: Finland's Saara Aalto then performed a rendition of Let It Go from Disney's Frozen, which was described as a little OTT and theatrical

Over-excited? Sharon couldn't resist getting up on her feet as her act belted out the lyrics

Louis said: 'I new you were going to be good, but I didn't think you were going to be amazing. It was faultless'.

Relley C then took to the stage to perform Mary Mary's Praise You, which she seemed effortlessly suited too.

But the best performance of the night was when Matt Terry brought some much-needed boy power into the mix.

Brilliant: The best performance of the night was when Matt Terry brought some much-needed boy power into the mix

She's loving it! Taking the man-bashing You Don't Own Me, Matt spun it to sing about going out with the boys - and not being manipulated by a possessive girlfriend

Good choice! Relley C then took to the stage to perform Mary Mary's Praise You, which she seemed effortlessly suited too

Taking the man-bashing 'You Don't Own Me', he spun it to sing about going out with the boys - and not being manipulated by a possessive girlfriend.

And it worked - Louis called it the performance of the evening, while Simon agreed that it was going to 'win him a lot of girls'.

Freddy Parker then sang Killing Me Softly, which Simon harshly described as torturous.

Lacklustre: Ryan Lawrie offered a middle of the road effort, despite his self-assurance

Gender-bending: Fashion victims Bratavio performed a tragic version of Aqua's Barbie Girl

Which, fittingly, preceded a suitable camp appearance by Bratavio which centred around Aqua's Barbie Girl.

Simon summed up the performance by saying: 'What were you thinking? It was like a musical horror movie. I don't know what to say. I don't know what you're thinking, Louis'.

Then, Emily Middlemass offered a typically safe, middle-of-the-road track. 

Awkward: Freddy Parker sang Killing Me Softly, which Simon described as torturous

Teen spirit: Emily Middlemas offered a typically safe, middle-of-the-road track