AN EAST Lancashire singing sensation became the first person ever to perform an original song on the X-Factor live shows.

Ribble Valley singer song writer Grace Davies performed her own song ‘Too Young’ in the first of the ITV hit programmes live shows on Saturday.

Judge Nicole Scherzinger described 20-year-old Grace’s performance as ‘perfect’ and ‘beautiful’, while fellow judge Sharon Osbourne said she was ‘brilliant’.

Grace, a warehouse worker and club singer from Langho, is the favourite to take the series title.

Although she was announced as the fourth singer to be voted through to the next round by the public she was named as the audience’s ‘Saturday night champion’.

Speaking on the show to presenter Dermot O’Leary, Grace said: “It’s amazing. You guys are incredible. Thank you for that.

"To do original, for me, is a massive risk. People might think covers might be hard for me, but they’re not. I just want to do my thing.”

Mrs Osbourne, who is Grace’s coach on the show, said: “You are such a brilliant song writer. You really are. It is so great to see a new song writer here on the stage of the X-Factor. I really admire you as an artist.”

Ms Scherzinger said: “It takes big balls to sing an original song up there. It is an amazing song. You did a beautiful job. You’re so natural up there.”

Fellow judge Louis Walsh said the song should form part of Grace’s first album.

He added: “This is the start of your career in music. To think you wrote your own song is incredible.”

Yesterday, (SUNDAY) Too Young had broken into the top 20 of the iTunes download chart.

Responding to that, Grace Tweeted: “This is freaking craaaaazzzyyyy!!!!

“Guys this means the absolute world to me, to finally get my music out there which represents me.”

Grace has been gigging since she was 16-year-old and said she has been performing every single weekend in pubs ever since.

Head judge Simon Cowell missed the show after being taken to hospital on Friday following a fall.

Addressing the music mogul’s absence, Mr O’Leary, said: “He’s doing fine, he’s watching the show at home.

“Get well soon boss and we hope to see you fighting fit very soon.”