Natalie Imbruglia is fabulous in fuchsia as she faces off with casual Cheryl Cole at Birmingham X Factor auditions

By Mail Online Reporter

Fashion face off: Guest judge Natalie Imbruglia (left) wore a fuchsia mini-dress, while Cheryl Cole looked super slim in a pair of grey skinny jeans and waistcoat


At the first round of X Factor auditions in Glasgow last week, Cheryl Cole overdressed in a leopard-print prom dress while Geri Halliwell went for a more relaxed style in a vest and jeans.

So as the judges headed to Birmingham for the next try-outs yesterday, it appeared Cole had decided to keep things more casual this time round in a pair of grey skinny jeans and sheer waistcoat.

However, she found herself outdone in the fashion stakes by new guest judge Natalie Imbruglia, who made a colourful and glamorous impression in an unusual fuchsia mini-dress and killer heels.


Tottering: Both brunette singers opted for towering heels


However, the Girls Aloud star, 26, went for a smart/casual look in a pair of grey skinny jeans, a cream and grey waistcoat and a heavy necklace.

She gave her ensemble a bit of glamour with an expensive pair of Christian Louboutin peep-toe studded heels.

As well as being the only two singers on the judging panel with music moguls Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, Imbruglia and Cole have both modelled for L'Oreal.

Former Neighbours beauty Imbruglia starred in ads for the beauty giant from 2002 until 2007, while Cole signed a £500,000 deal to represent the brand in the UK last August.


Meet and greet: Cole stopped to talk to fans and sign autographs on her way into the LG Arena


Casual: Geri Halliwell leaving her Glasgow hotel on Wednesday ahead of the X Factor live auditions


Australian singer Imbruglia, 35, is the second guest judge to stand in for pregnant Dannii Minogue, who is preparing to give birth to her first child next month.

Her two day stint at the Brummie live auditions at the LG Arena will serve as a warm-up for her new role as a judge on the Australian X Factor.

Imbruglia will join Ronan Keating, Aussie radio personality Kyle Sandilands and Australian Idol 2003 winner Guy Sebastian on the panel later this year.

She will be hoping her guest judging stint will be more successful than Halliwell's on Wednesday, who was booed by some members of the Glasgow audience.

The singer is reported to have angered fans soon after she began in her role as guest judge, by going against the crowd and refusing to put through a singer called Katie when she had the casting vote.

A source told the Daily Mirror: 'Geri had the chance to please the crowd and many were shouting Katie's name. But Geri ignored them and turned Katie down, causing the crowd to go crazy.

'Eventually they invited Katie back to try again, but Geri never recovered from that.'

Following Halliwell and Imbruglia, Katy Perry and Pixie Lott will also appear on the panel.

The judges will be in London from 21-24 June, Dublin on 28 June, Cardiff on 2 July and Manchester from 9-11 July.


Same old thing: Simon Cowell was wearing his signature white T-shirt and jeans, while Louis Walsh looked smarter in a blue shirt

source: dailymail