[Twilight]

The 'X Factor' judge infuriated her fellow panellist Simon Cowell - who is mentoring the 27-year-old teacher - with her comments while critiquing his show-closing rendition of 'And I'm Telling You'.

Referring to recent reports that Danyl is bisexual, she said: "It was a fantastic performance, a true 'X Factor' performance - turning guys into girls.

"Though there was no need to change the gender references if we're to believe everything we read."

As Danyl fought back tears and the crowd sat in silence, Simon snapped: "What did you say?

"'I think we're missing something here. I just heard one of the best performances I ever heard in my life. And you can forget playing any of those games with him. I'm not having that. This guy sang his heart out. Give him some credit."

The altercation prompted many outraged fans to call for the Australian singer to be sacked.

One angry fan rote on the show's website: "Danni's comments were disrespectful and out of order! Danyl's sexual orientation was under siege when tonight's show should have been about the music."

Another wrote: "I sat here shocked at her comment, which has got to be one of the worst things said on TV."

Dannii later took to her Twitter page to apologise for causing any offence to viewers.

She wrote: "Dannii made a joke about the lyrics of Danyl's song, referencing a recent newspaper interview he has given about his private life. She spoke to Danyl straight after the show, explained what she was talking about and he wasn't offended in the slightest.

"Dannii is mortified if her comments have been misinterpreted as she has always been hugely supportive of the gay and bi-sexual community for her entire career."

The row was one of several spats between the judges on the first live show of the series, which saw the contestants mentored by Robbie Williams.

When former strippers Kandy Rain - mentored by Louis Walsh - performed 'Addicted To Love', Dannii and Cheryl Cole criticised their skimpy outfits, warning the quartet it would be difficult to shed their raunchy image and make people focus on their singing if they didn't dress more demurely.

Angry Simon defended the group, telling his fellow panellists: "You two have performed practically half naked in the past."

The first act to be voted off 'The X Factor' will be revealed on ITV1 tonight (11.10.09).

God wtf is up with her shes turning into a real bitch:/