One Direction star Louis Tomlinson has thanked fans for their support following the death of his mother ahead of his performance in her memory on The X Factor.

Johannah Deakin, 43, died on Wednesday after a battle with leukaemia and tonight Louis will pay tribute to her during the show as the final three contestants fight it out to be named 2016 champion.

One Direction
Louis, second left, with his One Direction bandmates (Joe Giddens/PA)

Louis, 24, tweeted his fans.

He will return to the show where One Direction found fame in 2010, when they finished third behind Rebecca Ferguson and eventual winner Matt Cardle.

Other members of the boyband have rushed to offer words of support to Louis on social media, while the mother of his son Freddie, Briana Jungwirth, has also paid tribute.

The remaining three acts will take to the stage twice on Saturday night.

Louis Tomlinson Johannah Deakin Dan Deakin
Louis, right, with mum Johannah and her husband Dan Deakin (Family handout/PA)

Boyband 5 After Midnight, who are bidding to become the first boyband to win the show, will perform Beyonce’s Crazy In Love – while Nicole Scherzinger’s act Matt Terry will sing Take Me Home by Jess Glynne.

Finnish singer Saara Aalto will performs Everybody Wants To Rule The World by Tears For Fears as she bids to become the first foreign act to win the UK show.

The acts will also perform a duet with an accomplished musician.

Saara Aalto
Saara is the favourite to win X Factor (Thames/Syco Entertainment)

Also performing will be The Weeknd, Madness, Kylie Minogue and Little Mix – the only group to have ever won The X Factor.

Saara has seen her odds cut in recent weeks, overtaking Matt as favourite to win the competition. She is now 8/15 to win, according to bookmaker William Hill.

Spokesman Rupert Adams said: “The money is pouring in for Saara (8/15) and the 5/2 for Matt is also proving tempting for many. We are set to see the biggest weekend of X Factor betting for years – this is going down to the wire.”

The X Factor is on ITV at 8pm.