X Factor final 2014: Mel B replaced by Tulisa on Saturday night due to illness

The former Spice Girl was absent due to doctor's orders

Mel B will miss the X Factor Final due to illness (Rex)

Mel B will miss the X Factor final at Wembley tonight due to illness.

The show has confirmed that Mel B will miss the performance following doctor’s orders, and will be replaced by former X Factor judge Tulisa Contostavlos.

Concerns over the former Spice Girl’s health were raised after she missed an X Factor conference on Thursday.

A spokesperson for the X Factor said: “Unfortunately Mel is still unwell and following doctors’ advice she will not be taking part in Saturday’s show. Tulisa will join the panel as a judge.”

Tonight’s show will see Mel B’s act, Italian Andrea Faustini, face Ben Haenow and Fleur East, for the chance to be the winner of this year’s X Factor.

Both the show this evening and the results show airing on Sunday night will include performances from Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, One Direction, Meghan Trainor, Olly Murs and Demi Lovato.

Simon Cowell took to Twitter to inform fans this will be “the closest final ever” on the X Factor, but did not mention Mel B’s illness.

Mel B has been a judge on this series alongside Mr Cowell, show veteran Louis Walsh and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.

Ms Contostavlos appeared in this series when she joined Mr Walsh for the judges’ houses stage of the competition, and she chose the song for Stereo Kicks during Jukebox week.

Additional reporting by PA