There were tears - and the occasional snarky comment - as X Factor auditions kicked off in London yesterday with new addition to the judging panel, Cheryl Cole.

The very first contestant Dominic Moone was overcome with emotion after clapping eyes the 24-year-old Girls Aloud star, and took ten minutes to calm himself before he was able to perform.

Cheryl was beaming as she took her place for the first time alongside Louis Walsh, 55, Simon Cowell, 48, and Dannii Minogue, 36, who looked less than thrilled at being  relegated to the outside seat .

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New line up: Cheryl Cole (second from left) joins Louis Walsh, Simon Cowell and Dannii Minogue on the X Factor judging panel. Dermot O'Leary and Holly Willoughby join as presenters

Cheryl's appointment came just days after Sharon Osbourne announced she would be leaving the show amid claims of a row over her pay demands and her deteriorating relationship with Dannii.

But she is already proving to be as feisty as  her predecessor, and didn't miss the opportunity to take a swipe at Louis, her group's former manager during her first day on the job.

Tears: The first X Factor contestant Dominic Moone was shocked to see the new panel line up

A show insider explains: 'A group of contestants said they  they wanted to have Louis as a boss and Cheryl pop up and joked, "No you don't!"'

'With a grin on her face she told them Louis was a rubbish manager - obviously in reference to when he  was in charge of Girls Aloud.'

Cheryl, who agreed to the role after a torrid beginning to the year with her well documented marriage problems with footballer Ashley Cole, shot to fame six years ago after appearing on  Popstars: The Rivals.

Support: Cheryl says her fellow Girls Aloud band mates are behind her decision to join the show

Of her fellow Girls Aloud bandmates, she says: 'The rest of the girls have said they're right behind me, which is really important for me as it will be weird to be on the other side of the fence this time.'

She certainly has the support of Osbourne, who has declared: 'I love her!'

A production source added: 'Cheryl is going to stir things up all over again.'

'Cheryl is younger and more beautiful than Dannii  -  and she has a much more successful career in music.

'She is also as mouthy as Sharon and doesn't mind making enemies. Dannii and Cheryl already have a history  -  expect the claws to be out  -  particularly over who is Simon Cowell's favourite.'