Back to the day job! Tulisa shows how she earned her X Factor stripes in leopard spotted dress at V Festival with N-Dubz

By Jody Thompson

Last updated at 12:56 PM on 22nd August 2011

She proved herself when she made her debut as a judge on the X Factor at the weekend - and Tulisa Contostavlos showed how she earned her place on the panel with two storming sets at V Festival at the weekend.

The 23-year-old N-Dubz frontwoman wowed the crowds at both Staffordshire and Chelmsford legs of the festival, but it her grrreat leopard print mini dress last night in Essex that had her fans purring.

She impressed on the television on Saturday night when she joined fellow new judges Gary Barlow and Kelly Rowland for the first set of the X Factor auditions - particularly when verbally slapping down loser George Gerasimou, 19.

On the prowl: new X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos was back singing with N-Dubz yesterday at the Chelmsford leg of the V Festival

Feline fine: Wearing a tight leopard print dress, Tulisa worked the festival crowds like a pro

After he stumbled through a dreadful song and being asked to stop, he then abused Tulisa, storming: 'You’re some scumbag trying to replace Cheryl. Some scumbag from the block.'

But tiger Tulisa stood her ground, and slapping the desk, hit back with: 'You’re here to be judged, and you know what you’ve just done? You’ve embarrassed yourself to the entire nation. I worked myself up from Camden Town and that’s why I’m here today.'

Tulisa later confessed that she was tempted to deck the insulting contestant, saying: 'Well, if it was 10 years ago I would have, but I'm an X Factor judge now and I'm not allowed to do things like that.'

On song: Tulisa beamed at one point - showing off her new teeth - at the crowd reaction

Instead, the N-Dubz singer hit back with: 'I don't think your attitude has changed at all. You came and stood right next to me, and I felt a lot of aggression off you. You're very angry. It's not a good vibe.'

Meanwhile, it was revealed last night that launch of the new series of the X Factor was watched by a peak audience of 12.6 million on Saturday night - matching the record for the highest viewing figures for the opening night.

ITV said the peak number was a combination of people watching on ITV1 and ITV1 +1, and 12 million tuned in to the 8pm ITV1 showing.

She got the call: Simon Cowell will be very pleased with himself at getting Tulisa onboard after some great X Factor viewing figures

At its peak, more than half (51%) of those watching television were tuned in to the talent contest, the broadcaster said.

An average audience of 11 million watched the new panel of judges, Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos, Kelly Rowland and Louis Walsh launch series eight of the show, which was a 47% share of the audience.

A peak audience of 1.6 million (7.2% share) watched The Xtra Factor on ITV2. There was an average audience of 1.5 million across the show.

With the band: With her N-Dubz colleagues Dappy and Fazer at Weston Park in Staffordshire at V Festival on Saturday

The star-studded V Festival meanwhile wrapped up last night with Rihanna and Eminem headlining the Chelmsford site.

The Staffordshire leg meanwhile closed with Jessie J, Tinie Tempah, Plan B, Bruno Mars, Kaiser Chiefs, Dizzee Rascal and headliners Arctic Monkeys.