One Direction failed to take the X Factor crown in this year’s competition after so much hard work by them and their mentor Simon Cowell. The boys finished in third place behind Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle. 

Singing Natalie Imbruglia’s Torn on Sunday night, the song that won them a place in the show earlier this year, the boys delivered one of their best performances of the X Factor series.

The song was the first track performed by the band at Simon Cowell’s judge’s houses and at the time the music mogul said:

“They’re cool, they’re relevant. I think it was a little bit timid. I could tell that they were nervous.”

Following their performance on the night the judges said:

Louis Walsh: One Direction you’re in the final, you could be the first band to win. You’ve got great chemistry, I loved the harmonies and song choice, we’ve got five new pop stars.

Dannii Minogue: You’ve done all the right things to win your place here in the final, that was a fantastic performance and whatever happens tonight I’m sure you guys will release records and go on the be the next big band.

Cheryl Cole: It’s been so lovely to watch you guys. To think it was only a few months ago you got together, I think you’ve a massive future ahead of you.

Simon Cowell: Anyone who comes into this final has got a great chance of bettering their future but this is a competition. In terms of whose worked the hardest, who I think deserves to win based on the future and something we haven’t had before……. I would love you guys to win because I think you deserve it.

Dermot O’Leary On Those Cheeky One Direction Boys. One Direction Duet With Robbie William. One Direction Delivered A Great Rendition Of Elton John’s Your Song.

On hearing the news that they finished in third place, One Direction looked very disappointed. Louis Tomlinson told Dermot:

It’s been absolutely incredible, for me the highlight was when we first sang together at judge’s houses, that was unbelievable. We’ve done our absolute best and we’ve worked hard.

Zayn Malik added:

We’re definitely going to stay together, this isn’t the last you’ve seen of One Direction.

Simon Cowell then added:

I’m absolutely gutted for them but this is just the beginning for these boys.