[Red Moon]

Louis and Sharon hit the town ahead of X Factor final...but no sign of Simon or Dannii

Their onscreen spats might get heated on occasion, but it's clear Sharon Osbourne is friends with at least one of the judges on talent show the X Factor.

Sharon stepped out with Louis Walsh to attend PR man Matthew Freud's Christmas party - but fellow judges Simon Cowell and Dannii Minogue were nowhere to be seen.

The two were seen out together last night ahead of Saturday's highly anticipated final, in which finalist Rhydian Roberts - who is mentored by Dannii - is the odds on favourite to win the £1million contract.

Dannii's non-appearance, at least, is hardly surprising.

Earlier this week Sharon launched a scathing attack on the singer who she claimed was only brought onto the ITV1 show because she looks good - and because Simon Cowell is attracted to her.

The pair are said to have had several furious behind-the-scenes rows as well as one particularly heated on-screen confrontation which resulted in Sharon storming off the show.

And it appears Sharon has found an ally in Louis. In last week's programme, she laughed as Walsh made jibes Dannii's singing ability - this time prompting the sister of singer Kylie to flounce off the set.

Sharon's made her comments during an appearance on The Graham Norton Show. Addressing rumours of onset feuding, she said: "She is younger, she is better looking and he (Cowell) does want her and he doesn't want me - thank God."

After her outburst she fell about in fits of giggles and said: "I'm going to get into so much trouble.

"I've waited weeks to get my own back. I've had to keep it shut week after week while every week she pummels me in the press."

At a press conference earlier this week ahead of Saturday night's X Factor final, Sharon and Dannii looked clearly uncomfortable as they were asked about their rivalry.

"It's an even playing field. Dannii speaks about me, I speak about her, yet we both respect each other," Osbourne said.

Comparing their relationship to a boxing match, she went on: "It's kind of round one and round two and we're up to round 10 now.

"But it has taken me years to say something nice about Simon Cowell, so I haven't done badly with Dannii, have I?"

And she claimed her comments on the Graham Norton Show were made during a comedy sketch.

When asked if she would be returning for the next series, she replied: "I never know what I'm doing from one moment to the next. I've learned that you don't make long-term plans in this industry. I never know what's happening.

"If they want me, I'm here - I suppose."

Meanwhile Dannii said: "Unfortunately, you put women on a show together and people want to see a cat fight. I don't understand why it's like that, but it is."

And she dismissed Osbourne's claim that she was not on the show due to her music industry experience.

"The ups and downs I've had in my career gave me the tools to do this job," she said.

Dannii still has two acts in the final - Leon Jackson, 19, and 24-year-old Rhydian Roberts, whereas neither Sharon and Louis have any.

The finalists are set to perform three songs each. One Christmas song, a favourite and a celebrity duet.
Rhydian will perform with fellow Welsh singer Katherine Jenkins, Same Difference will duet with Jason Donovan, and 24-year-old Leon said he is excited to be duetting with Dannii's sister, Kylie, this Saturday.

He said: "I'm just over the moon to be singing with someone who is obviously a superstar.

"I don't really know what I'll say to her - probably: 'Hiya Kylie'."

Welshman Rhydian is the bookies' favourite to win the £1 million recording contract.

"I was the villain in the show and, initially, that was quite hard, but, looking back, it's done me a favour because people took an interest in me. I felt determined to turn it around and I think I have," he said.

"But I have got this show to thank. Maybe, had they not portrayed me in that light, I wouldn't have got so far."

Rhydian revealed he has received good luck messages from boxing champion Joe Calzaghe and Little Brian star David Walliams.

• The X Factor final is on Saturday at 7.30pm.

Source and Pictures: Daily Mail

[Jackie]

I wonder where them two were than?