Simon Cowell has reason to smile as The X Factor continues its hunt for the next singing superstar, thanks to a returning contestant and a brand new hopeful with a scarily familiar face.

On Sunday night’s episode, Emily Middlemas makes a comeback to the competition after previously appearing on the ITV show in 2014.

Emily Middlemas
Emily Middlemas (Thames/Syco Entertainment)

The 17-year-old from Glasgow got through to Judges’ Houses two years ago but failed at the last hurdle, and is now keen to progress further.

Giving it another shot, she attempts to win over the judges with a pared-back rendition of Stevie Wonder’s Master Blaster, and receives positive feedback from Simon, Louis Walsh and Nicole Scherzinger.

Fourth judge Sharon Osbourne is absent from some of the auditions due to work commitments abroad.

Simon is also seen emphatically sharing his adoration for 51-year-old Eddie Lee, who bears a striking resemblance to the X Factor boss.

“Is it wrong that I find you attractive?” Cowell asks the singing hopeful.

After admitting he often gets mistaken for the TV judge, Lee entertains with his audition, a version of Elvis Presley’s Can’t Help Falling In Love.

Eddie Lee
Eddie Lee (Thames/Syco Entertainment)

Simon, Nicole and Louis are surprised when Saara Aalto, 29, jets in all the way from Finland to take part in The X Factor, and left in hysterics when Abiola Allicock, 42, warbles her way through an original song.

The X Factor continues on ITV1 at 8pm.