[Red Moon]

I am NOT at war with Simon says Dannii as she hits back at claims of bitter X Factor feud

Dannii Minogue insists she has not fallen out with fellow X Factor judge Simon Cowell, saying she has been left 'bemused ' by reports that the pair are at loggerheads.

Simon's ex, pop singer Sinitta, stoked the fire last week by saying Simon and Dannii were locked in a bitter showdown.

The 40-year-old, who has been a judge and mentor on ITV show, claimed Simon was getting sick of Dannii's cocky attitude after she won the series last year and that she was angered by him constantly undermining her acts by forgetting their names.

But in a concerted effort to smooth over the cracks, Dannii has played down any suggestions of a rift.

Speaking in her Closer magazine column, she said: 'I was bemused by rumours that I’d fallen out with Simon Cowell on the show. Utter rubbish!

'Admittedly Simon seems to be lashing out at Team Minogue and I don’t know why, because I have three amazing performers.

'I guess he is just protecting his own team, and I know he thinks the Under 25 girls can all win.'

She added: 'The rumour started after Simon’s mentor Sinitta made a few comments that were blown out of all proportion.

'It made me laugh because Sinitta came and told me what she’d said.'

'There is no X Factor feuding going down!'

But last week, Sinitta made claims that tension was building between 39-year-old Cowell and 37-year-old Minogue.

Speaking at the launch of Nokia Comes with Music in London, she said: 'Things are getting really bad between Simon and Dannii. He's continually taking swipes at her.

'He doesn't like the fact that she's come into this series all cocky from winning it last year, saying "I'm going to win it again".

'And she's been openly criticising him on live TV, which isn't a good idea - it's backfiring in her face.'

She also said that Dannii was getting frustrated at being treated as second best this year, compared to the last series when he would constantly rush to her defence.

She added: 'Last year it was all about Simon caring for Dannii and protecting her from Sharon, but this year he hardly notices she exists and it's annoying her.

'But having a go at Simon in front of the other judges isn't the way to solve it.

'Simon is forgetting the name of Dannii's acts on purpose to undermine her. I wouldn't be surprised if he pretends to forget her name this week.
'I think it's funny. I sit behind them as the show is going out and you can feel the tension and looks between them. When we go to ads it gets worse!'

On Saturday night viewers saw a tearful Scott Bruton sent home after battling it out against Daniel Evans.

It saw Cowell lose his first act to the show, while Dannii managed to keep her line-up intact after Daniel was saved by Louis Walsh's casting vote.

Cheryl also has her three acts still in the competition, while Louis has fared the worst, losing Girlband and Bad Lashes in consecutive weeks.

Source:Daily Mail