DESPITE a false start due to a cock-up by the production team, Danny Tetley recovered to produce one of the performances of the night in yesterday's first X Factor live show.

The 37-year-old, from Shipley, had to restart his performance after being thrown off by a mishap in his introduction.

Instead of his name being announced, it was that of fellow contestant Anthony Russell, which threw off Danny as he started his song, causing him to have to restart.

The singer, who is now based in Benidorm, shook off the rocky start to deliver an accomplished performance of Hero by Mariah Carey, which earned him rapturous applause from the studio audience and a standing ovation from the four judges.

The former Salt Grammar School student looked at home on the big stage, growing into his performance and hitting some great high notes, showing his illness earlier this week has had no lasting impact on his unique voice.

Following his performance, head judge Simon Cowell apologised for the cock-up, and said: "Don't feel bad about what happened because it made you better in my opinion, so who cares?"

Former One Direction star Louis Tomlinson added: "The pressure of what just happened to you and you picked yourself up and delivered that vocal, you should be really proud of yourself."

Danny's mentor Ayda Williams, who was on her feet cheering throuh the entire performance, said: "You are my hero."

Fellow judge Robbie Williams added: "We share the same DNA and it was great seeing you overcome what just happened.

"You're like Mariah Carey with a beard."

Following the judge's comments, Danny told host Dermot O'Leary it was "a wonderful experience" being on the show.

Voting is open for Danny until the start of the first results show which is on ITV1 at 8pm today.