X Factor's Nicole Scherzinger has defended 'cry baby' Hannah Barrett and she's it's part of her charm

X Factor judge Nicole Scherzingerhas said Hannah Barrett's uncontrollable tears are part of her charm - and admitted she is a "cry baby" too.

The 17-year-old Greggs bakery workerhas cried frequently during the audition process, and was overcome with emotion when she learned she had made it through to the live shows.

And Barrett admitted she may not be able to hold back the tears on as the process continues.

Scherzingersaid of the teenage hopeful: "She's grown up and she's very strong, but isn't that why we love her all the more? That she doesn't hold back and that it means that much to her and her passion goes that deep?

Isn't that why we love her even more?"

Nicole Scherzinger with Tamera Foster, Hannah Barrett and Abi Alton on Daybreak

Rex Features

"What's wrong with crying? I'm a cry baby too! I'm letting it out, I'm keeping it real OK?"

Barrett, one of three acts being mentored by Scherzinger in the girls category of the contest, said: "I understand I cry a lot, but when you're going into this process you're emotionally drained.

"It's so hard and we want it that bad you're obviously going to cry. I'm not going to promise I'm not going to cry, because I cry anyway, I'm so sensitive, but I'll try and suck it up."

Tamera Foster, 16, another on Scherzinger's girls, said she was grateful to Nicole for being so hard on her in the judges' houses round.

She said: "I'm happy she gave me some tough love because it did make me realise how much I needed to fight for this and it made me give my best performance, so I'm glad she did that for me."

The contest is hotting up after weeks of pre-recorded shows, with the 12 acts taking part in the live stages of the show which begin tonight.

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