One Direction To Appear In The X Factor Final

One Direction and Emeli Sandé have both been confirmed for the final of The X Factor.

The boy band, who finished third on the show in 2010 and have since gone on to international stardom, will be returning for the live series finale on 8 and 9 December.

It is unclear whether they will be performing with the finalists or just as a band, but producers may be leaving the decision until after the semi-final this weekend - to see if boy band Union J survive to the final.

The final is taking place at Manchester's MEN Arena in front of a crowd of thousands, and the remaining acts in the contest now are Union J, James Arthur, Jahmene Douglas and Christopher Maloney.

The other special guests for the final are expected to be announced soon, but Jane McDonald has already offered to work with Maloney in future.

Meanwhile the 1D boys have been nailing their colours to the mast regarding this year's contest, with Louis Tomlinson tweeting a criticism of Maloney on Saturday night.

He wrote: "Christopher Maloney showing his nasty side. No sympathy whatsoever. He has to go tomorrow!"

The band did perform a controversial pre-recorded appearance on the show earlier in the series.

THE X FACTOR IS BACK FOR 2012! CHECK OUT PICS HERE