The X Factor final 12 prepare for first live show

The X Factor final 12 pictured ahead of the first live show. Credit: Nicky Johnston/ITV/PA Wire

The first of The X Factor's live shows starts tonight with the 12 remaining acts set to perform hit songs from the 80s in a bid to win the public vote.

The final line up for the live shows was revealed last week as Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Sharon Osborne and Nicole Scherzinger whittled their categories down from six contestants to three.

The theme for the first live show is 80s week and earlier it was revealed what the remaining contestants will be singing:

  • The Girls

  • Abi Alton - Livin' On A Prayer

  • Hannah Barrett - What's Love Got To Do With It

  • Tamera Foster - Ain't Nobody

Judge Nicole Scherzinger with the Girls finalists (left to right) Hannah Barrett, Tamera Foster and Abi Alton Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

The Groups

  • Kingsland Road – I’m Your Man

  • Miss Dynamix – Jump

  • Rough Copy - In The Air Tonight

Kingsland Road react after news of their progress to the live shows. Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

Read: Girls and group X Factor live finalists revealed

The Boys

  • Sam Callahan - Summer of '69

  • Nicolas McDonald - True

  • Luke Friend - Every Breath You Take

Louis Walsh and Sam Callahan Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

The over-25s

  • Shelley Smith - Alone

  • Sam Bailey – Power of Love

  • Lorna Simpson – So Emotional

Sharon Osborne with Sam Bailey. Credit: Tom Dymond/ITV/PA

Read: Tears as X Factor hopefuls told they have made the final cut

The Girls mentor, former Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger, tweeted her excitement ahead of the first live shows:

Scherzinger earlier insisted her contestant Hannah Barrett's tears are part of her charm, admitting she too is a "cry baby".

Ms Barrett, 17, has cried frequently during the audition process, and was overcome with emotion when she learned she had progressed to the live shows.

Scherzinger said: "She's grown up and she's very strong, but isn't that why we love her all the more? That she doesn't hold back and that it means that much to her and her passion goes that deep? Isn't that why we love her even more?

"What's wrong with crying? I'm a cry baby too! I'm letting it out, I'm keeping it real OK?"

Watch the X Factor tonight at 8pm on ITV

For the latest news and backstage gossip visit the X Factor website