Louis Walsh: 'It was the best final ever'

Louis Walsh has claimed that the 2010 X Factor final was the best in the show's history.

The Irish judge, who didn't have any of his acts left in the show, described the two-hour ITV1 marathon as the "best final ever".

Cher Lloyd, Rebecca Ferguson, One Direction and Matt Cardle all performed two songs on the programme and were joined by special guests Robbie Williams, Rihanna, will.i.am and Christina Aguilera for the second half of the show.

Williams teamed up with Simon Cowell's boyband One Direction for a cover of 'She's The One', which ended with Williams joining the group in a collective huddle.

Rihanna and Matt Cardle performed a raunchy version of 'Unfaithful', while Christina Aguilera partnered Rebecca Ferguson on a rendition of 'Beautiful'. Afterwards, the US popstar claimed that she was a big fan of Ferguson, admitting that she had watched tapes of her singing Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good'.

The final duet featured Cher Lloyd singing a Black Eyed Peas medley with will.i.am. The 17-year-old later described the duet as the "best time of my life".

Host Dermot O'Leary also said that it was the "best final" that he had been involved in.

"I thought the duets were brilliant," he said. "Rihanna and Matt Cardle. Oh my word! Unbelievable. When the women and gay men in the audience were loving Rihanna."