X FACTOR duo The Brooks made their successful return to the TV talent show on Sunday – two years after Louis Walsh booted them off series 11 during the Judges’ Houses stage of the competition.

The boys, 17, who were placed into their gran’s care at just 18 months as their parents battled heroin addiction, were praised by judges as they belted out Naughty Boy and Beyonce’s hit Runnin’ during Sunday’s episode of the show.

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Talking about their past failed attempt, Josh and Kyle explained: “We auditioned for the show when we were 15 back in 2014 and got to Louis Walsh's judges' houses in Bermuda.

“When we didn't get through we were gutted.

"We can totally understand where Louis was coming from and there's a huge improvement from those two 15-year-old boys, we're glad to be back... fingers crossed."

However, it seems that time worked wonders for the adorable duo, with the judges praising their efforts.

Louis said: "Much, much better guys. I remember [at judges' houses in 2014] the vocal wasn't just enough and I was on the fence, I'm off the fence tonight, that was really, really good, I'm really glad you came back."

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Nicole Scherzinger added: "I think you guys are so adorable and you've actually got something to work with.”

Simon Cowell was more critical, commenting: "I'm not going to lie... you've still got a lot of work to do, you've got to develop your own sound, sometimes less is more.”

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