Dannii: It's just a game - Dec 14 2007
Dannii Minogue has responded to reports of tension between her and fellow X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne, saying it's all a "game".

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Saturday's final, the 36-year-old singer blamed the media for blowing their rivalry out of proportion.

She said: "So much of it has been created that hasn't been said. We know how the game works, we know what the headlines are going to be and unfortunately you put two women on a show together and people want to see a catfight - I don't understand why it's like that but it is."

Meanwhile, Sharon said negative comments towards Dannii made on the Graham Norton Show were only said during a comedy sketch.

Dannii, whose acts Leon Jackson and Rhydian Roberts will go head-to-head in the final, admitted that her career successes and failures had helped her during her first year on the judging panel.

"I take what I do seriously, I think the ups and the downs in my own career give me the tools to do this job and I want the best for these guys. I want to give them the best chance to have a career and travel the world. I feel like a mother to them now."

"What I have discovered is the passion inside me working to see someone else succeed and get that chance is huge, so maybe I've tapped into something, opened up a new part of my career."

Louis pinches Dannii’s bum? - Nov 30 2007
Dannii Minogue has apparently revealed that fellow X Factor judge Louis Walsh likes to pinch her bum when they’re on set.

The Australian diva, 36, told the Daily Star: "Louis keeps grabbing my bum at work - and I’m like that’s so wrong, please get off me!"

But she admitted the Irish music mogul would have to dream on, because she wasn’t remotely attracted to him: "He’s like SpongeBob SquarePants. He’s not attractive but he’s fun and good to work with. He knows what he’s doing and is teaching me a lot."

And Dannii, who joined the ITV1 talent show’s judging panel for the first time this year, told the paper that she’s not used to all the media attention.

"I’ve never encountered this kind of media frenzy before. I feel like I’m on Big Brother. We don’t always get on but people wouldn’t watch if we liked the same things. A lot stays private," she added.

Dannii’s fallen in love with contestants - Nov 20 2007
Dannii Minogue has reportedly revealed that she has "fallen in love" with the X Factor finalists - admitting she finds it terrible to sent one act home each week.

The judge - who joined the show this series - told New! magazine: "I just love X Factor! I absolutely love it! It’s kind of weird being a fan of the show and then being on it. I still have to pinch myself and go, ’Wow, I’m sitting on the panel!’ It just occurs to me each week how important my role is with mentoring the kids and choosing the right song.

"I’ve still got Leon and Rhydian. Go Team Minogue! I’ve got to keep them in."

She added that she tries to be honest with all the acts.