GLAMOROUS Tulisa Contostavlos stole the show in a tartan outift at Glasgow's SECC during the latest round of auditions for this year's X Factor.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Times, hundreds of aspiring pop stars braved the rain to make their bid for fame.

N-Dubz singer and show judge Tulisa, 23, wore her red, white and black top with a leather bolero-style jacket and a peplum mini-skirt, as she arrived to the skirl of the bagpipes.

And guest judge, US singer Anastacia was determined to announce her arrival in style, wearing a figure-hugging purple dress.

The pair were joined by fellow judges Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, and host Dermot O'Leary.

Each judge arrived in their own private limo and were greeted at the SECC by a pipe band.

Irish judge Louis, who is back on the panel after his trip across the Atlantic to act as a stand-in judge for the US version of the show, joked that it was "nice to be back in Glasgow" despite the miserable weather.

Hundreds of singing hopefuls – who auditioned in front of the public – crammed into the SECC's car park.

Some keen would-be contestants had started queuing at 4am.

Excited fans also braved the dreich weather and queued for hours for the chance to watch the auditions – and potentially spot this year's winner.

X Factor host Dermot was spotted chatting with the crowds of hopefuls outside the SECC, early yesterday morning,

The star judges arrived to huge cheers from hundreds of drenched hopefuls and fans – in particluar Anastacia, who is rumoured to be replacing former Destiny's Child star, Kelly Rowland, who quit the show earlier this year.

When she was announced as guest judge, the I'm Outta Love singer said: "I can't wait to see what talent Glasgow has to offer.

"Watch out for a lot of laughter."

The American, who has sold more than 20million records around the world, is the latest of many music stars to guest judge on the panel.

Mel B, Geri Halliwell, Leona Lewis, Rita Ora and Nicole Scherzinger have also filled in, while show producers work to find a replacement for Ms Rowland.

The ninth series of the talent show begins on ITV1 later this year.

This year's solo artists and bands will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of last year's finalists Little Mix, above, Marcus Collins and Amelia Lilly.

Wannabes will have to brave the glare of judges if they are to make it through to the next round.

rebecca.gray@ heraldandtimes.co.uk