Cheryl Cole has admitted that this year's series ofGirls Aloudsinger, whose act Rebecca Ferguson lost out to Dannii Minogue's contestant Matt Cardleon Sunday's final, claimed that the 2010 shows were the "toughest" she had ever endured.

[uuid=bc193d36-0435-449f-8def-dd41243968ab]CHECK OUT PICS OF THE 2010 X FACTOR FINAL IN MTV'S GALLERY HERE!![/uuid]

Chezza, who previously won the show withAlexandra Burkeand Joe McElderry, said after Cardle was crowned winner: "This year has been the toughest, yes. Undoubtedly yes."
She explained: "Honest to God, the toughest ever. The toughest I've ever experienced. You get involved and so hands-on backstage that it is hard to distance yourself from being so close to the contestants."

Despite Rebecca not taking home the XF title, Cheryl is convinced that the single-mum from Liverpool still has a "bright future" ahead of her.

Speaking after the final, Cole revealed: "I think the future is bright and this is the start of a life-changing moment for Rebecca."

"She is an amazing person with a great heart and she deserved to go far. She knows what she is and knows what she wants to be and we've seen that over the weeks."

Ferguson added: "I'm happy. I’m really happy. I'm very grateful to Cheryl and [vocal coach] Yvie [Burnett]."

"I'm just a lot wiser and lot more confident now. Hopefully I can carry on making music. I would love to."