It’s the dream team judging panel, and they’re back with a mission – to find the next big thing in music. Acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell will step back into his role as telly’s Mr Nasty for the sixth series of The X Factor this Saturday.
And the man who’s launched some of the world’s biggest TV talent shows and singing stars says he couldn’t be happier to have such a dynamic team alongside him.
And Simon is delighted Cheryl Cole – last year’s winning judge with Alexandra Burke in her debut year after replacing Sharon Osbourne – is back for a second series as he felt an immediate bond with her.
The pair, who sat next to each other, were even snapped on a sneaky cigarette break together during filming earlier this month. “We instantly became friends,” explains Simon, 49. “We really, really got on well. Cheryl likes hanging out with me in the dressing rooms.”
Meanwhile Dannii Minogue, he says, “likes to keep more to herself”.
He adds: “Cheryl has been a revelation. She’s really come to the show with an attitude and style all her own.”
However, he says, despite his connection with the Geordie Girls Aloud star, it’s Dannii who’s the hardest-working judge when it comes to mentoring her final acts. Cheryl may have won with Alex last year, but Dannii had already scooped the best act with Scots crooner Leon Jackson a year earlier.
“There was a lot of focus on Cheryl last year,” says Simon. “But Dannii’s so obsessive about winning and I like that.”
