Cheryl Fernandez-Versini has appeared at the latest X Factor auditions in London wearing slippers – after burning her foot on her hair tongs.

The 32-year-old singer could not join fellow judges Simon Cowell, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw in the traditional walk onto the stage at Wembley Arena on Monday, but instead sat behind the desk in some comfy footwear, BBC Newsbeat reported.

Cheryl told the audience: “I stood on a hair tong this morning and I burnt the bottom of me foot,” adding that it was “embarrassing”.

That didn’t stop Simon relishing the chance to tease her.

Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Caroline Flack and Olly Murs on the red carpet at The X Factor auditions
Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Rita Ora, Nick Grimshaw, Caroline Flack and Olly Murs on the red carpet at The X Factor auditions (Daniel Leal-Olivas/PA)

He interrupted that her story about the hair tongs was “not really true”, but he thanked her for making the effort to turn up to the audition. “When a lot of people would have been in hospital. It really means a lot,” he said.

Simon also joked that the audience should keep the injury a secret, because “Cheryl may only have one leg by the time we hit the live show”.

The cheeky Geordie lass got her own back though by sharing a picture online of Simon holding two tangerines over his nipples, and asking fans to, “Caption this”.

She later shared a picture of herself at the end of the day, saying she felt “asleep on my feet” and thanking fans for their patience during the long audition process.