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RICH, SUCCESSFUL AND USED TO BEING TOP DOG. SO WILL DANNII MINOGUE OR CHERYL COLE BE CROWNED THE X FACTOR’S QUEEN BEE?

By Louise Gannon

When the new series of The X Factor kicks off next Saturday night, all eyes will be on the two gorgeous girls sitting in the judges' chairs.

And the question on everyone's lips will be: "Will Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole hate each other as much as we think they will?"

Click here to see more pics of Dannii

But as the nation braces itself for catfights and bitch-fests, reigning X Factor queen Dannii, 36, is showing her softer side to the new girl at work.

"Cheryl's been through a very tough time so I went to her dressing room on the first day of filming to introduce myself and wish her luck," says Dannii.

"She was so nervous, her hands were shaking. I was just like that when I started – utterly terrified."

But is trouble brewing? After all, Cheryl, 25, has already thrown a killer punch when she criticised Dannii's looks, saying: "I think she should get all her plastic surgery reduced. She doesn't look natural. I don't think men find her attractive." Ouch!

Dannii replies: "It's true that Girls Aloud have said some unfortunate things about me, but you can't hold on to things like that.

"When we do get to spend time together, I hope we get on. I don't ever want to go through the same atmosphere as before."

Ah, yes. The last series of The X Factor was marred for Dannii by bitchy criticisms made by fellow judge Sharon Osbourne.

Sharon, 55, who has since quit the show, accused Dannii of being "talentless and only here because Simon fancies her".

Dannii hits back: "For some reason, Sharon did not like me. I don't know what I did to upset her, and on several occasions I went to her to try to sort things out.

"It's not the sort of behaviour I've ever been exposed to before. My response was to just focus on my artists and win the show."

Which she did, with 18-year-old Leon Jackson. Mentoring is a role she relishes, and which has given her status beyond being the little sister forever following in Kylie's footsteps.

Dannii shakes her head. "Last year was a weird time for me," she admits.

"The year before was the toughest of my life. My sister was ill with breast cancer and I thought I was going to lose her.

"Then I lost my best friend to cancer and I was in pieces."

Three months later, she got the call from Simon Cowell to join the panel on ITV's biggest-rated talent show.

But what about the rumours, put about by Sharon, that Dannii was only there because Simon fancied her?

Sharon was reportedly miffed when Simon chose to take Dannii's arm at the start of each show.

"Simon's lovely, but no, not true," Dannii laughs.

"And yes, he would hold my arm when we walked down the steps, but that was because I was wearing a long dress and high heels and I was terrified of falling!

"And anyway, have you seen his girlfriend? She's gorgeous!"

As is Dannii – though speculation has been rife about the surgical enhancement she may have had along the way.

She has always been open about having breast implants, but denies she's had any other work done. She attributes her flawless skin to a healthy diet.

"When I'm being good, I eat no wheat or dairy and I try to cut out alcohol," she says. "I'm a complete freak because I don't like sugar or chocolate.

"As a child, I'd beg for avocados and olives instead of sweets, and I think that – along with being happy – helps my skin. I'm not against surgery but I'm not ready to have anything done yet."

Dannii also works hard at keeping her size 8 figure in shape.

"But I have flaws," she insists. "At the moment I'm working out to lose my little muffin top because I'm going on holiday and I don't want horrible bikini snaps.

"I go to the gym and I work out in the park three days a week with friends."

Dannii maintains there's no long-term man in her life, despite rumours that she's dating again.

So does she fear that like Kylie, she may be unlucky in love?

"I blame our parents!" she says. "They've been married forever and have the best relationship, and we have too much to live up to.

"I don't feel ready for children yet. If the right guy came along I'd be happy, but I'm picky. And not everybody has to get married and have children to be happy."

So how wicked is Dannii willing to be with this year's X Factor contenders?

"I'm tough, but sometimes I feel very guilty when people get upset," she admits.

"However, I don't believe we're shattering dreams because we're explaining to people why they are good or why they are bad.

"I love being a judge. I'm not afraid to tell someone if they're awful, just like I'm not afraid to leap up and down if I love someone."

Let battle commence…

The X Factor starts on ITV1 on Saturday night.

Click here to see more pics of Dannii

Photography: Rex, Wenn, Getty, Scope Styling: Angie Smith Hair & Make-Up: Christian Vermaak using Vani-t and Mac cosmetics