[Arneldo]

SIMON Cowell has threatened to axe both Sharon Osbourne and Dannii Minogue from The X Factor if they don’t stop squabbling.

It’s decision time as show bosses prepare to finalise contracts for the next series of the ITV1 mega-hit.

The last series was dominated by tales of Sharon and Dannii’s mutual loathing.

A top source on the show said: “It’s nearly contract time again.

“Sharon said she doesn’t want to come back with Dannii – and Dannii said she doesn’t want to work with Sharon.

“But Simon has banged both their heads together and told them, ‘If you don’t shut up – I can replace you both’.

“They don’t have to be best friends – but they do have to work together.”

The Sun revealed how feisty TV favourite Sharon, 55, left Dannii, 36, in tears during a row just moments before the first live show last October.

Sharon then stunned viewers by launching into a tirade about the Aussie brunette on Graham Norton’s chat show, saying that Dannii looked like her BUM.


Witch
Dannii then teamed up with her famous sister Kylie on the show final – and called Sharon an “old witch” on a skit during an ad break.



The X Factor stars’ contracts are due to be negotiated next month. Simon will want them signed soon after.

But the insider added: “Bosses know that viewers were hooked on the backstage battles between Sharon and Dannii and they want to keep them both on board – it makes for very interesting TV.”

The new series of the telly talent show will return later this year.

This time last year a flurry of top-secret talks resulted in host Kate Thornton and judge Louis Walsh being given the boot.

Then Louis was sensationally brought back when his replacement, Brian Friedman, didn’t work out

Sun