[Arneldo]

Sharon Osbourne encouraged one of her own X Factor acts to storm off the show during the third series, it has been alleged.

Ben Mills, who finished in third place in the 2006 run, has claimed that his mentor advised him to pull the stunt in a bid to win public support.

Speaking to The Times, Mills explained: "[It was] completely surreal. Sharon wanted me to stage a walkout one week to generate a huge tabloid story and get me votes. When I refused, she didn't speak to me again."

The rocker also suggested that his rival contestant Ray Quinn and show chief Simon Cowell adopted new personas when the cameras started rolling.

"Simon always pre-warned me if he was going to spice up the show a bit by slagging me off, but I've never forgiven Ray for crying during the semi-[final]," he admitted. "I offered him 50 quid not to, but he'd made up his mind. You could almost hear the old ladies at home reaching for their phones."

Mills released his debut album Picture Of You in March 2007.

Meanwhile, Osbourne quit The X Factor last year and was replaced by Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole.

DS