We've got goss on the catfights, the tears, thrills and spills - from the judges themselves.
\r\nSky Showbiz hummed our way down to the X Factor launch yesterday.
\r\nSo take a tinkle at our chats with Cheryl, Simon, Dannii and Louis.
This is It's Dannii's second year on the show, but after her rocky relationship with Sharon Osbourne, what's she got to say about Cheryl?
And you'll never believe what she's saying about Jennifer Aniston's (ex?) man, John Mayer. Get gossing with us...<\/p>","url":"2008/8/15/Dannii-Minogue-0808-7.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
On the whole Sharon debarcle, Dannii said: \"We didn't get on. We weren't the best of buddies.\" No, really?
She went on to say: I'm just happy to be back on the show myself, it's better she's doing something else she loves.\" She's referring to Sharon's latest stint on America's Got Talent.<\/p>","url":"2008/8/1/Dannii-Minogue-1207.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue 12.07"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
What of talk she and Kylie have recorded a duet for a BBC show?
All Dannii was willing to say about it all is: \"There's always been a lot of pressure, our fans have been wanting us to record together for a long time so...\"<\/p>","url":"2008/8/13/Kylie-and-Dannii-Minogue-1007.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Kylie and Dannii Minogue 10.07"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
From Kyles to another A-lister, Jennifer Aniston. Or John Mayer, rather. Guess what Dannii had to say about him?
When asked about performers out there who have the X Factor, she said: \"John Mayer. I love him, he's a talented guitarist, songwriter and performer.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/7/2/Kylie-and-Dannii-Minogue-0307.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Kylie and Dannii Minogue 03.07"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
She revealed the judging panel has had some fun teasing Louis about all of his lady admirers.<\/p>","url":"2008/8/1/Dannii-Minogue-1106.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue 11.06"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
She said: \"We gave out Louis' number to a couple of people and there was a woman with no teeth who was particularly fond of him. I don't know what happened on the date...\". Gulp.<\/p>","url":"2008/4/29/Dannii-Minogue-0408-9.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue 04.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
On new judge Cheryl she said: \"I want her to come in, have a great time, feel welcome and enjoy the show. She loves music, we all love music, I just want it to be a nice experience for her.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/8/1/Dannii-Minogue-0708-1.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue 07.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
How much easier is she finding being a judge this year?
She told us: \"Last year it was hard to decide very quicky who I was saying yes or no to, this year I'm finding it quicker to decide, 'Yes, I do think they can win it' or, 'No, I don't think they can.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/8/13/Dannii-Minogue-0608.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue 06.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
What can we expect this year?
\"We're not looking for anyone the same (as last year) but it's been unbelieveable the amount of good people there are this year. It's going to be a tough race to the finishing show.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/8/1/Dannii-Minogue-1292.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue 12.92"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
We can't wait, Dannii.<\/p>","url":"2008/8/1/Dannii-Minogue-0905-1.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue 09.05"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Check her out in 1991. Just a wannabe herself eh?
Now, boy did we get some exciting news for you from Cheryl Cole about a certain thang Girls Aloud will be doing.<\/p>","url":"2008/8/1/Dannii-Minogue-0091-2.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Dannii Minogue 00.91"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Yes, here she is, the new X Factor judge, Cheryl.
She revealed: \"We're releasing our album a little bit before Christmas, if everything goes according to plan. We're at the final stages vocally.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/8/4/Cheryl-Cole-0808.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Cheryl Cole 08.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
And get this, she also said: \"We'll be performing the first single on The X Factor.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/4/29/Cheryl-Cole-1007.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Cheryl Cole 10.07"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Apart from her X Factor gig, there's been muchos speculation about her and Ashley Cole's marriage. Especially since Cherz's been spotted out without her wedding ring of late.
When asked about not wearing the ring, she replied...<\/p>","url":"2008/8/15/Ashley-Cole-and-Cheryl-Cole-0808-2.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Ashley Cole and Cheryl Cole 08.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
\"Nice try anyway.\"
Darn.
\r\nMoving on to other men, she told us: \"Simon's (Cowell) actually a really decent guy. He's hepled my confidence a lot to be quite honest. The fact that he respects my opinion is a big deal for me, he's actually very down to earth. I'm very grateful.\"
She also added jokingly: \"Oh, and he has an ego the size of this room.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/6/3/Cheryl-Cole-0508-7.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Cheryl Cole "},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Watch out Ashley, we say, as Chez also revealed: \"I've always had a bit of a soft spot for Simon to be honest. But I do tell him when I think he's wrong because he's not always right.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/7/1/Ashley-Cole-Cheryl-Cole-0206.jpg","width":385,"height":420,"alt":"Ashley Cole Cheryl Cole 02.06 "},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Now, when we heard X Factor presenter Dermot O'Leary throwing around the words Cheryl and maternal, there was no stopping asking the gal about it all.
She said: \"I think even within the band, in Girls Aloud, I do harbour quite a maternal instinct.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/4/29/Cheryl-Cole-0607-1.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Cheryl Cole 06.07"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
And how do the gals feel about her doing the show?
She said: \"They were the ones who actually forced me to do it, it was quite a tough decision. They're probably more excited than I am.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/3/11/Girls-Aloud-1007-where.jpg","width":385,"height":420,"alt":"Girls Aloud 10.07 where"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
On Sharon leaving, Cheryl said: \"I don't know what the circumstances were with Sharon, but just to be asked to be on the show and sit in Sharon's seat is a massive compliment for me.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/7/1/Kimberly-Walsh-Cheryl-Cole-Nicola-Roberts-0706.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Kimberly Walsh Cheryl Cole Nicola Roberts 07.06"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
We bet. Here she is in 2003 and hasn't she come a long way?
We reckon she's perfect for the panel, having got her big break on the same type of show, Popstars: The Rivals.<\/p>","url":"2008/8/1/Cheryl-Cole-0303.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Cheryl Cole 03.03"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
In 2002 she looks way different too.
Speaking of looks, when asked if she reckons the queen of style chanhes, Madonna, who's turning 50 this weekend, should peel off the leotard just yet, Ms Cole replied: \"She shouldn't hang up her boots, but maybe just tone it down. Especially in the crotch area.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/4/29/Cheryl-Cole-2002.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Cheryl Cole 2002"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
He's always being called Mr Nasty, but after nattering to Simon Cowell our verdict is...
Si, we love ya. He's more charming than, erm, Prince Charming.
His lady, Terri Seymour, pictured here, is one lucky lady.<\/p>","url":"2008/5/21/Terri-Seymour-Simon-Cowell-0208.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Terri Seymour & Simon Cowell"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Si said: \"I've always been a fan of Cheryl. I first met her with Celebrity Apprentice, she called out of the blue about money for charity. I gave her the money and that was why I wanted to work with her on a show - I thought she was special and thought she'd be fantastic to work with. It just took me two years to persuade her.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/6/5/Simon-Cowell-0307-1.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Simon Cowell 03.07"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
He gushed on, saying: \"Eventually I persuaded her to do X Factor. Why I knew she'd be good is because she speaks like normal people.
\r\n\"People can relate to that, I think that's the best sign of a judge, not someone sitting there as a vocal coach.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/6/17/Simon-Cowell-0608.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"Simon Cowell 06.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Yes, there was more gushing as he said: \"I'm going to embarrass her now, she's one of the best people I've ever worked with.\"
Hmm, what about worldwide success Leona Lewis?<\/p>","url":"2008/6/18/simon-Cowell-0608.jpg","width":385,"height":540,"alt":"simon Cowell 06.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Si said: \"When you're working with someone like that, you're not thinking about Sharon's ego or Louis' ego, you're just thinking, I want you to be fantastic, and that's what's important.\"
Now, what's this we heard about Si not wanting to share a dressing room with...<\/p>","url":"2008/7/3/Simon-Cowell-0708.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Simon Cowell 07.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
The likes of Mr Louis Walsh, the fourth and final judge, at bootcamp.
Well, Si cackled as he revealed all.<\/p>","url":"2008/7/4/Cheryl-Cole-Louis-Walsh-0708.jpg","width":385,"height":420,"alt":"Cheryl Cole Louis Walsh 07.08"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
He said: \"It's not healthy for me to share a dressing room with Louis. It's not right, so we left him with Dermot and then Dermot left him.\"
At one stage in the interview too, Si looked over and joked with Louis about the amount of media sitting chatting to him (Si) and the fact that Louis was sitting with one journalist nattering to him and Dannii.
Si said: \"Louis, you seem to have lost quite a bit of the media over there... just thought I'd mention it.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/8/15/Louis-Walsh-and-Simon-Cowell-1006.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Louis Walsh and Simon Cowell 10.06"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
But of course we had a little chat with Louis too.
So, we also chatted popstars with the big L.
His verdict is : \"I think the old ones are still the best.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/8/15/Louis-Walsh-0107.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Louis Walsh 01.07"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
Erm, old ones like Madonna you mean, Louis?
\"Madonna's not a great singer, guys. It's all built around her. She works very hard though, she's made herself a popstar.\"<\/p>","url":"2008/8/15/Louis-Walsh-0506.jpg","width":320,"height":540,"alt":"Louis Walsh 05.06"},{"captionHeading":"The X Factor Returns","caption":"
And Louis in turn has helped make a host of other people, like Ronan Keating, famous too.
He confirmed he's busy putting together a new girl band at the mo, but that was all he was saying. \"It's for next year,\" he said smiling.
Well, we're muchos focused on the new season of the X Factor, which starts on ITV tomorrow at 7.30pm. \r\n
\r\nTo read a review of the first episode check out Sky's TV Guide site.<\/a><\/p>","url":"2008/8/15/Ronan-Keating-Louis-Walsh-0308.jpg","width":385,"height":420,"alt":"Ronan Keating Louis Walsh 03.08"}];