Kelly Rowland in line for role on X Factor judging panel?

May 27, 2011 By Carl Wheeler
kelly-rowland

It’s all change for this year’s judging panel on the UK version of the X Factor with former Destiny’s Child singer, Kelly Rowland, being the latest name linked to the show.

The 30-year-old American singer has reportedly been in talks with the hit ITV show to take over Cheryl Cole’s place on the talent show, with insiders saying she’s likely to sign the contract over the weekend. With the first batch of auditions due to start on June 1st, ITV will be up against it to have the judging panel in place in time for the first contestant.

In a recent interview Kelly described the X Factor as an “amazing show” adding that she always agreed with Simon Cowell’s view on contestants.   

Last week it emerged that Danni Minogue would not be returning to the X Factor due to commitments with Australia’s Got Talent, and Simon Cowell has been replaced by Take That singer and songwriter Gary Barlow having signed a deal reportedly worth £1.5 million.

Louis Walsh will be the only surviving judge from last year’s line up on the news series, although many are hoping Cheryl Cole will return to the series after she was sensationally axed from the American version of the show amid fears the viewers couldn’t understand her strong Geordie accent.

N-Dubz star Tulsa has also been mentioned in recent newspaper reports as a possible replacement for Danni Minogue on the judging panel, however there’s been no confirmation over whether the 22-year-old will be joining Louis and Gary on this series as yet.

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Katie Waissel saved at the expense of Aiden Grimshaw on last night’s X-Factor

November 15, 2010 By Trudi Johnson
katie-waissel-aiden-grimshaw

Katie Waissel narrowly escaped eviction from the X-Factor last night after finding herself in the bottom two for the fourth time this series.

After the judges failed to make a decision over who should leave following the sing-off between 24-year-old Katie and Aiden Grimshaw, the competition went to deadlock. 18-year-old Aiden’s rendition of Elton John’s Rocket Man failed to win over the fans, as he received the lowest number of votes, and was booted off the show.

The decision was unpopular with the studio audience, as many started to boo blonde Katie after it was announced Aiden would be leaving the talent show.

Axed Aiden seemed to be putting a brave face on last night’s exit when he appeared on Daybreak this morning. The singer admitted he’d had a bit of a sob with fellow X-Factor contestant and favourite to win, Matt Cardle, but said he was coping with the rejection adding philosophically, “you win some, you lose some.”

While previous X-Factor evictees have been vocal in their criticism of their celebrity mentors, Aiden was refreshingly complimentary of his mentor Danni Minogue saying she was “always there” to support him during his X-Factor journey.

As for plans for the future, the 18-year-old from Blackpool says he hopes to get stuck in with a few live gigs, and continue to work at his dream of becoming a recording artist.

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Sharon Osborne set to stir up the X-Factor

August 25, 2010 By Dez Rowley
sharon-osbourne

Fiery Sharon Osborne is set to stir things up on this series of the X-Factor as it’s been revealed she’ll be joining the show temporarily.

Two years after she dramatically quit the show, later revealing she left because of fellow judge Dannii Minogue, the 57-year-old is now set to re-join the hit ITV talent search programme.

Sharon will be joining regular judge Louise Walsh to help him whittle down a shortlist of finalists to make it through to the live finals during the judges’ houses segment of the show.

Last year, Irish judge Louis enlisted the help of singer Ronan Keating while trying to decide which acts would make it onto the live shows. However, given the Boyzone singer’s recent personal problems, it was thought best if he stepped down from his role on this year’s series.

One person who won’t be happy to hear the news that the wife of Ozzy Osborne is back on the box will be X-Factor judge Dannii Minogue. The pair famously clashed on the show, with Sharon later admitting that the Aussie singer was the reason she gave up her role as a judge.

Dannii is due to return to the X-Factor next month during the judges’ houses section of the show after taking time out to have her baby boy Ethan.

The new series of the show kicked off last Saturday night and is already causing controversy after it was discovered that auto tone technology had been used to enhance the performances of singers during the audition process.

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Kylie Minogue won’t replace sister Dannii on the X-Factor

May 13, 2010 By Carl Wheeler

Kylie Minogue says she won't be appearing as an X-Factor judge

Kylie Minogue says she won’t be replacing her sister Dannii on the X-Factor during filming this summer, as she doesn’t think she’d be any good as a talent judge.

Dannii, who sits on the judging panel of hit ITV  talent show the X-Factor, is due to give birth to her first child this July which means she will miss out on the early stages of filming.

There had been speculation that Kylie could make an appearance during the audition process but the pop star quashed those rumours today during a radio interview. The singer is currently in Los Angeles putting the finishing touches to her forthcoming new album. However she took time out of her busy work schedule to talk to an Australian radio station.

In the interview Kylie was asked if there is any truth in the rumours that she will make an appearance on this year’s X-Factor show, to which she replied, “I don’t think it’s going to happen.” The petite star went onto say that she doesn’t think she would be any good as a judge, and that she is already very busy with work to take time out to appear on the show.

It was also announced last week that Kylie is working on creating a West End musical featuring her hit songs.

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Kylie Minogue to pen a musical based on her hits

May 5, 2010 By Carl Wheeler
Kylie Minogue says she won't be appearing as an X-Factor judge

Kylie Minogue is planning a musical based on her hit songs

Aussie pop star Kylie Minogue revealed in a recent magazine interview that she is planning to write a musical based on her greatest hits.

The 41-year-old actress and singer is working on the project with William Baker. The pair have collaborated before as Baker worked as Kylie’s stylists and creative director on a number of her tours. Baker also has West End experience having directed the 2007 revival of the musical Rent.

Very little has been revealed about the plot for the new musical, however the singer is adamant it will not be based on her life story, and neither will she take on the lead role as she said: “I’m comfortable because it’s not about my life story; it’s about the interpretation of music.”

The hits of Abba, Queen, and Rod Stewart have all previously been turned into stage musical. Mama Mia, which featured the back catalogue of Abba tracks, was one of the biggest success stories and was even turned into a Hollywood blockbuster starring Meryl Streep. A musical, featuring the hits of 90’s girl band the Spice Girls, is currently in production.

The Australian star is also planning to release a brand new album this July entitled Aphrodite.

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Dannii Minogue confirms on Twitter that she is “gonna be a mummy”

January 14, 2010 By Trudi Johnson
Dannii Minogue confirms she's expecting her first child in July
Dannii Minogue confirms she's expecting her first child in July

Dannii Minogue confirms she's expecting her first child in July

After the tabloids first spilled the beans over the weekend claiming Dannii Minogue was pregnant, the X-Factor judge has come out herself this week to publically announce, “Woo hoo I’m gonna be a mummy!”

The 39-year-old singer is said to have had her 12-week scan in the last few days and having received the all-clear from the doctors, decided to officially announce the happy news to the rest of the world.

It will be the first child for Dannii and her boyfriend Kris Smith. The baby is due in July with both parents-to-be said to be “delighted” at the news.

Dannii’s sister Kylie also took to Twitter to announce her excitement at the news as she wrote: “I am so excited to be an Aunty again!! WOW WOW WOW!! Xxx”

Despite the fact the baby is due in July and filming for the X-Factor auditions starts in August, Dannii is reportedly keen to continue as a judge on the hit show, provided Simon Cowell offers her another contract that is. However there have been reports that Spice Girl Mel B is being lined up as a possible new judge on the show.

Last year Xtra Factor presenter Holly Willoughby continued with her work duties on the show, 3 months after giving birth to her son Harry. Producers at ITV were said to have been happy to accommodate the new mum’s needs whilst filming took place.

A source close to Dannii revealed she is keen to follow Holly’s lead after she proved it was possible to juggle duties on the show, along with being a new mum.

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Dannii Minogue wins Ultimate TV personality gong at Cosmo awards

November 12, 2009 By Dez Rowley
Dannii wins Ultimate TV Personality Award

Dannii wins Ultimate TV Personality Award

X-factor judge Dannii Minogue was thrilled to pick up her gong for Ultimate TV Personality last night, saying she more than deserved the award after putting up with Simon Cowell for three years.

The Australian singer was speaking after picking up her prize at the Cosmopolitan Women of the Year Awards last night and said she would use her award to inspire Stacey Solomon, the only act she has left to mentor on the X-Factor, she said, “This award will go in my dressing room to inspire Stacey – a bit of girl power.”

The 38-year-old star said she credits her boyfriend, Kris Smith with helping her to win the award and also with her current TV success. It comes after a difficult few years for the singer after supporting her sister Kylie Minouge with her battle against cancer. Talking about her present happiness she said, “When you’re having a good time as work and in your love life, I guess it shows on your face.”

Other winners on the night included Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh who picked up the award for Ultimate Women of the Year, and also Holly Willoughby who was named Ultimate Presenter of the Year.

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X-Factor judge Dannii Minogue sorry for jibe at contestant

October 13, 2009 By Trudi Johnson
Dannii apologises for bisexual joke

Dannii apologises for bisexual joke

X-Factor judge Dannii Minogue made a public apology to contestant Danyl Johnson during the live results show on Sunday night. She made a joke relating to the fact that many tabloids are reporting that the bookies’ favourite to win the show, is bisexual.

The remark came after Danyl delivered a belting performance of a song from the hit movie Dreamgirls. The track is originally sung by a woman talking about a man but Danyl chose to change the lyrics so he was singing about a woman, this prompted Dannii to say “If you’re to believe everything you read in the papers, then you didn’t need to change the gender references in the song.”

The Aussie singer looked as though she regretted what she’d said as soon as the words were out of her mouth. Fellow X-Factor judge and Danyl’s mentor, Simon Cowell, instantly jumped to the defense of the 27-year-old hopeful saying  “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.”

But Simon Cowell wasn’t the only one to take offence at the remark. The X-Factor’s official website was bombarded with over 2,500 complaints following the incident with many people calling for her to be axed from the show as a result.

Dannii made a full explanation and apology on the follow up show then next day, she also issued a statement on her blog to this end offering her “sincere apologies.” She stated that Danyl “wasn’t offended or upset by my comments” but she said understands that audience members “do not want the judges to get personal with judging comments.

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Simon Cowell advises X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke to lay off Twitter

August 25, 2009 By Kate Owen
X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke reveals Simon Cowell isn't a fan of Twitter
X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke reveals Simon Cowell isn't a fan of <a href=Twitter” width=”215″ height=”300″ />

X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke shot to fame last year as she became the winner of the X-Factor 2008 and today she was in London to unveil her brand new single. However the down to earth star revealed in an interview to Chris Moles that her boss, Simon Cowell, doesn’t share her passion for micro blogging site Twitter, and has advised her to lay off it.

The singer from Islington was on the Chris Moyles radio show this morning to hear the first airing of her forthcoming single. The track, entitled Bad Boys, also features guest vocals from U.S rapper Flo Rida. The new single is a definite departure from her debut release which was a cover of Hallelujah. This upbeat floor filler is guaranteed to get fans up and dancing, plus many pundits are tipping it to hit the number one spot.

During the interview on the Radio one breakfast show Alexandra admitted to being “addicted” to Twitter and revealed she even followed the show’s host, Chris Moyles. Other celebs followed by the X-factor winner via the social networking site include Lady GaGa and Tyra Banks. Alexandra puts Simon Cowell’s dislike of Twitter down to the fact that he doesn’t “really get it.”

Maybe Simon, whose record label Syco signed the star, is right to advise a Twitter boycott as the 21 year old revealed she hasn’t finished her album yet. One of the biggest problems in finalising the album is choosing which songs to keep and which to ditch. Alexandra said she pushed Simon to let her have a double sided album but his response was “no way.” The new single is released on October 12th with her debut album to follow, um…sometime.

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Simon Cowell favours luxury limo hire on first episode of the X-Factor

August 24, 2009 By Carl Wheeler
Simon Cowell could be about to give up full time judging duties on TV talent show
If you were one of the 9.9 million people who tuned into the first episode of this year’s X-Factor on Saturday night then you may have noted the difference in calibre of vehicles used by each of the judges. Where Simon Cowell’s colleagues, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue chose to arrive at the Manchester auditions in a fleet of silver BMW’s, flash Simon couldn’t help himself and chose to make his entrance in a chauffeur driven, exclusive black Rolls Royce Phantom.
As one of the most influential members of the judging panel, and one of the most successful music mangers of recent time, Simon has an image to uphold; and the Rolls Royce Phantom is certainly the right vehicle to create an impression. The striking supercar has an imposing yet elegant image, onboard you’ll find all the latest luxury features you’d expect of a vehicle of this calibre. There’s a champagne bar, DVD player plus plasma screen, mood lighting, air conditioning, and leather reclining seats making a very popular choice for limo hire.
However it’s doubtful whether Simon had a chance to enjoy all the Rolls Royce Phantom has to offer as viewers will have noticed Simon’s trip from his hotel to the audition venue was embarrassingly short. The Roller didn’t even make it a out of first gear as the 49-year-old music mogul hopped aboard, and was driven 25 metres round the corner of the same building and made his arrival in front of hundreds of screaming fans. But red-faced Cowell seemed to see the funny side saying with a grin, “I didn’t know my hotel was so close to the venue.”
The opening episode of the 6th series of X-Factor was a blinding success pulling in 9.9 million viewers; the second highest ratings of the night went to The National Lottery which only attracted a paltry 2.3 million viewers in comparison. As expected there was the usual mix of contestants ranging from the sublime to the scary. School teacher Danyl Johnson received a standing ovation from both the audiences and the judges, tipping him as a potential winner. X-Factor fever is already gripping the nation, hold on tight for what’s sure to be an unforgettable series.
Simon Cowell alongside his favourite luxury Rolls Royce

Simon Cowell alongside his favourite luxury Rolls Royce

If you were one of the 9.9 million people who tuned into the first episode of this year’s X-Factor on Saturday night then you may have noted the difference in calibre of vehicles used by each of the judges. Where Simon Cowell’s colleagues, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Dannii Minogue chose to arrive at the Manchester auditions in a fleet of silver BMW’s, flash Simon couldn’t help himself and chose to make his entrance in a chauffeur driven, exclusive black Rolls Royce Phantom.

As one of the most influential members of the judging panel, and one of the most successful music mangers of recent time, Simon has an image to uphold; and the Rolls Royce Phantom is certainly the right vehicle to create an impression. The striking supercar has an imposing yet elegant image, onboard you’ll find all the latest luxury features you’d expect of a vehicle of this calibre. There’s a champagne bar, DVD player plus plasma screen, mood lighting, air conditioning, and leather reclining seats making a very popular choice for limo hire.

However it’s doubtful whether Simon had a chance to enjoy all the Rolls Royce Phantom has to offer as viewers will have noticed Simon’s trip from his hotel to the audition venue was embarrassingly short. The Roller didn’t even make it a out of first gear as the 49-year-old music mogul hopped aboard, and was driven 25 metres round the corner of the same building and made his arrival in front of hundreds of screaming fans. But red-faced Cowell seemed to see the funny side saying with a grin, “I didn’t know my hotel was so close to the venue.”

The opening episode of the 6th series of X-Factor was a blinding success pulling in 9.9 million viewers; the second highest ratings of the night went to The National Lottery which only attracted a paltry 2.3 million viewers in comparison. As expected there was the usual mix of contestants ranging from the sublime to the scary. School teacher Danyl Johnson received a standing ovation from both the audiences and the judges, tipping him as a potential winner. X-Factor fever is already gripping the nation, hold on tight for what’s sure to be an unforgettable series.

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