MILLIONS of TV viewers will see a Greetland singer move Cheryl Cole to tears tonight.

Nikk Mager, 24, will appear on the new series of ITV hit The X Factor, with Cheryl as a new judge.

The former Huddersfield Grammar School pupil appeared with Cheryl on Popstars: The Rivals six years ago.

Her group Girls Aloud have had a string of hits but it’s been more of a struggle for Nikk.

Tonight, Nikk tries again.

He said: “Seeing her was crazy. We auditioned together on Popstars: The Rivals and became quite good friends, but I never thought I would be singing in front of her.

“When I walked in she couldn’t stand it, she was so shocked, gobsmacked, and I was completely freaked out.

“She wanted leave before I started, but the other judges persuaded her to stay and she obviously wanted to be professional and just do her job.

“But after I sang she left before any of the judges had said anything. I think she knew what was coming.”

After Cheryl had left, Nikk faced the comments of the other judges. He was told to give up on his dream by Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh while Dannii Minogue told him he should pursue a modelling career.

Nikk said: “I was gutted, absolutely devastated. For a full week it was like my world had ended. I felt cheated because I believe I should have gone through.

“I thought it had gone OK. It could have gone better – I had had one hour’s sleep and had a chest infection so I wasn’t at my best. But in my opinion I showed potential and should have gone through to the next stage.

“The one regret I have is that the song, The Rose by Bette Midler, wasn’t particularly well known.

“After I had finished Cheryl came over and looked really upset and after I left she apparently started crying. It’s nice to know that she still cares and didn’t want to see me go through that.”

And Nikk defended the X-Factor audition process.

“The auditions are always going to be a daunting experience, but it’s just something you have to deal with in this industry.

“You remember every experience, but this was particularly memorable.”

In 2004 Nikk’s group Phixx performed on the same bill as Girls Aloud at the Galpharm Stadium.

He has performed solo at clubs across Yorkshire in the last two years.

Huddersfield duo Nathan Miah and Elizabeth Silverson – known as Dreamtime – will also appear in tonight’s episode.

The 17-year-olds sing We Belong Together by Mariah Carey.