'I'm covering her breasts': Sharon Osbourne helps Nicole Scherzinger avoid a VERY embarrassing wardrobe malfunction on first X Factor live show

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The X Factor live shows are often prone to impromptu gaffes.

But, thankfully, Sharon Osbourne helped her co-judge avoid one on Saturday evening - by covering Nicole Scherzinger's breasts.

The incident happened on the first real-time episode of the new series, which was appropriately-themed 'express yourself'.  

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Bosom buddies: Sharon Osbourne helped her X Factor co-judge Nicole Scherzinger avoid a wardrobe malfunction on Saturday evening's debut live show 

It came after boyband trio 5 After Midnight kicked-off the episode to high praise - with Nicole responding flirtatiously.

Singing and dancing in a provocative manner, she nearly fell out of her revealing dress which was designed to show off her cleavage.

Anticipating the wardrobe malfunction, Sharon covered the former Pussycat Doll star's cleavage, which left both red faced. 

Awkward! The incident happened on the first real-time episode of the new series, which was appropriately-themed 'express yourself'

Up close and personal: Sharon and Nicole joked around as the first of the live shows got off to a flying start

Careful! Singing and dancing in a provocative manner, she nearly fell out of her revealing dress which was designed to show off her cleavage

Clarifying her intention, Sharon said: 'I'm covering her breasts in case they fall out!'.

Blushing at the unwelcome attention, the brunette beauty seemed a little awkward at the exchange - especially when Simon Cowell chimed in.

'There's something stirring inside me after that', he joked with a smirk on his face.

Shrugging it off: Thankfully, Nicole didn't see too upset by her co-judge's behaviour

Praise: It came after boyband trio 5 After Midnight kicked-off the episode to high praise

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

Thankfully, the show quickly returned to normal when Samantha Lavery, 17, 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. 

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

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   

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

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

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. 

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'. 

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

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

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

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'.

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

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

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

Capping the show, Honey G surpassed expectations by dazzling viewers with a toe-tapping performance.   

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

Potential winner? Honey G has surpassed expectations on the ITV talent show

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

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. 

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

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

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'. 

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

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

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!'. 

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'.