One Direction star Louis Tomlinson took to the X Factor stage on Saturday night to perform his new single with DJ Steve Aoki.

The performance marks the first time Louis has appeared in public since his mum died on Wednesday after battling cancer.

Louis
(X Factor)

The show’s boss Simon Cowell paid tribute to Louis’s mother, telling the One Direction star that she was “so proud” of him.

The singer, who made his name on the show as part of the boyband, appeared as a solo artist, performing his track Just Hold On.

Louis
(X Factor)

Johannah Deakin passed away on Wednesday at the age of 43, after a battle with leukaemia.

As he came to the end of his performance during tonight’s live final of The X Factor at Wembley Arena, Louis looked down at the floor with all four judges giving him a standing ovation.

Louis
(X Factor)

Simon, who manages One Direction, said: “I have to say something to you, I’ve known you now for six years.

“What you’ve just done, the bravery you’ve shown, I respect you as an artist, I respect you as a person.

“Your mum was so proud of you, she was so looking forward to tonight and she’s looking down on you now. Steve, you’re a great friend to him.”

Louis
(X Factor)

The singer blew a kiss up to the ceiling as he listened to Simon’s comments.

Earlier in the day, Louis, 24, wrote on Twitter: