This year’s X Factor judges seem to have clashed repeatedly, but Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos haven’t fallen out, that is, until now!

Tulisa is said to have taken umbrage with Gary’s out-of-control ego. After the weekend’s show, Gary explained that he had described Tulisa’s one remaining act, Little Mix, as being “predictable” because they do the same thing every week. Anyone placing an X Factor bet will be wondering what happens next.

After this, Tulisa apparently “let slip” that they would be spicing things up next week and Gary took credit for this decision, leading the N-Dubz singer to claim his “ego is out of control”.

“Gary could have a party with his ego, he really could. We should have a birthday party just for his ego,” Tulisa said.

An insider told The Mirror that the row didn’t stop there either. The source explained: “Tulisa can’t believe Gary is trying to take credit for Little Mix trying a new style next week.”

According to the insider, Tulisa has made it quite clear that she doesn’t need his help when it comes to mentoring her group. Those following the X Factor winner odds should bear this in mind.

“He may be in a successful band, but so is she, and Tulisa really thinks he is getting above himself in the ego department.”

Some might argue, however, that comparing Take That to N-Dubz is perhaps taking things a bit too far! After all, Tulisa is pretty much half Gary’s age and hasn’t penned some of the best-known pop records in history, so she isn’t exactly music royalty.

Either way, the off-screen fireworks seem to show no sign of stopping any time soon, with the X Factor judges’ rows flaring up time and time again in this year’s series – much to the entertainment of viewers!

X Factor hopeful Sophie Habibis seems to have ditched her mentor for a rival one – Tulisa Contostavlos.

Kelly Rowland is said to have gone to LA for a ‘pre-arranged’ business trip until Thursday, which has left her acts without a mentor ahead of the next live show.

Her protégés, who include Sophie, Janet Devlin and Misha B, reportedly only found out on Sunday night that they would be without Kelly for the week.

According to a source speaking to The Sun, Sophie seized the opportunity to chat to rival judge Tulisa while Kelly was in the States. People looking at the X Factor odds should remember this.

“Sophie has made no secret of the fact that she thinks Tulisa is brilliant and that she’d love her to be her mentor,” the insider claimed.

“They are like two peas in a pod – both young, from a similar part of north London, and both have a Mediterranean background.”

The source added that the pair “get on like a house on fire backstage and are always gassing away like sisters”.

Even though it looks like Tulisa is taking over the reins while Kelly is away, earlier in the week, the 23-year-old was said to have berated the American for interfering with girl group Rhythmix.

She reportedly headed into their dressing room offering words of advice after the weekend’s show – something which didn’t go down too well with Tulisa.

They fell out after the live performances as well, after Tulisa accused Misha B of being “mean”, rather than saying anything about her song rendition, on Saturday night.

It looks like fireworks could be set to fly this weekend, particularly if either of the two judges’ acts end up in the bottom two – it could officially be X Factor war then!

X Factor host Dermot O’Leary has revealed that he misses former judge Cheryl Cole.

Speaking after a huge row broke out live on air on Saturday night when Misha B was branded a bully, Dermot told The Mail the new judging panel are taking their job extremely seriously.

He said: “They’re fantastic, but they take it so seriously. To be fair to Gary Barlow, he’s the best singer-songwriter in the industry, so it’s got to produce a credible finalist.

“Can you imagine if we got to the final show and he had to unveil someone who couldn’t sing? It couldn’t happen!”

But even though he’s happy with the current panel, he believes Geordie Chezza would have been a “calming influence” on the others.

He said he used to have a cup of tea in the dressing rooms with her and he also misses Dannii because “she had become a real friend”.

Dermot added that he felt people used to raise their game when Simon Cowell was around – possibly a view shared by X Factor fans, who are said to believe this year’s talent aren’t as good as last year’s. People looking at the X Factor odds should bear this in mind.

It seems even the judges appear some of the former ones on the show, with Tulisa Contostavlos admitting earlier this month that she would love to do a duet with Cheryl.

In an interview with OK! magazine, she said she and the Girls Aloud singer get on well.

“I’d definitely do a duet with Cheryl. We’re cool. When I first met her I went: ‘Aw, I love you,’ and she was like: ‘Aw, I love you too,’ and then we had a little hug,” Tulisa told the mag

Frankie Cocozza has admitted that he’s the weakest singer on this year’s X Factor.

While the news isn’t likely to come as a surprise to anyone – after all, he’s performed terribly each time he’s appeared on stage – it perhaps wasn’t expected to actually come out of the horse’s mouth.

There was a fair amount of backlash after Frankie progressed through to next week, while Kitty Brucknell and Sami Brookes ended up in the bottom two on the show. People looking at the X Factor betting may have been surprised.

Sami, arguably one of the strongest singers on the show, didn’t get through, as Louis Walsh decided not to take the vote to deadlock (presumably fearing the public hated Kitty more!).

Unsurprisingly, X Factor fans vented their anger through various social media channels, prompting Frankie to tweet: “I know I’m the weakest singer in the competition, nice of people to keep reminding me .. I’m not gunna give up trying to improve. Mugs.”

The world isn’t likely to rejoice in his revelation just yet though – it’ll take more than a little effort to make Frankie into the next big thing, since he lacks something essential – the X Factor! Those placing an X Factor bet should remember this.

It seems even Gary Barlow, his own mentor, was surprised not to see him in the bottom two. Afterwards, speaking to The Xtra Factor, Gary said: “Me and Frankie were backstage honestly holding each other, I was convinced Frankie would be in the bottom.” It’s always nice to know you’ve got people on your side, eh, Frankie?!

If the bookies are to be believed though, Frankie won’t be in the competition past this weekend. They seem to think he’s the favourite to go and following his extremely poor showings, it wouldn’t be a huge surprise – it’d be interesting to see the judges trying to pick between Frankie and Kitty in the sing-off.

We dedicated Strictly Come Dancing fans all know that sequins, fake tan, fabulous dresses and sultry salsas beat boy bands, cheesy crooners and tone deaf singers, and now it seems that the rest of the country has caught on, as Strictly has thrashed X Factor in the ratings this series.

Thrashed might be putting it a bit strongly, but it certainly got more viewers when the two shows went head to head this series. Simon Cowell and his bouffant must be fuming. He goes and leaves his precious money-making dream machine of a show and heads off to the US for just one second and lo and behold, the ratings drop faster than a footballer’s pants. Those following the Strictly Come Dancing odds wouldn’t have been surprised.

Leaving X Factor in the hands of buff but boring Gary Barlow off of Take That, yoof songstress turned glamour puss Tulisa Contostavlos, and the one-out-of-destiny’s-child-who-isn’t-Beyonce-or-the-other-one, Kelly Rowland, (oh, and Louis Walsh of course) Cowell has seemingly lost viewers to the lure of Alesha ‘smallest head in the country’ Dixon, Len ‘ Se-Ven!’ Goodman, Bruno ‘more energy than a Duracell bunny wired up on Red Bull’ Tonioli and Craig ‘his middle name sounds like chocolates’ Horwood.  People following the Strictly Come dancing winner odds will be impressed.

So it seems that viewers are looking for a bit more Bruce and a little less Dermot. Compact and polite Dermot O’Leary might be doing a stellar job presenting this year’s X Factor, but it seems he’s no match for the might of Sir Bruce. Oh and Vernon Kay’s other half, Tess Daly. Perhaps Dermot needs to practice his pirouette and take to the stage in between contestants’ performances to up those ratings a little and beat Strictly Come Dancing at its own game!

X Factor star Craig Colton is reportedly letting the fame go to his head a back and has started displaying diva-like tendencies.

According to The Daily Star, the Liverpudlian hopeful showed his nasty side before going on stage for the live show last Saturday night.

A source claimed the 22-year-old threw a “diva fit” before his performance, which saw him take on Best Thing I Never Had by Beyoncé.

The insider explained: “The stress seems to be getting to Craig and he’s no longer the lovable Liverpudlian everyone fell in love with.

“He was throwing his weight around and having a diva fit before the live shows.”

Regardless of whether there’s truth in the claims or not, it’s fairly undeniable that Craig has one of the strongest voices in the competition, putting him high up on the bookies’ favourites list at the moment. Those following the X Factor odds will be concerned about his bad behaviour though.

Janet Devlin is currently in joint-favourite position with The Risk, with Misha B coming in close behind.

There’s still a long way to go in the competition though, with Nu Vibe only the first act to be axed last weekend on the show, following a fairly lame sing-off with Frankie Cocozza at the end.

Craig’s mentor, Gary Barlow, thinks the Scouse singer could go far in the competition still, even though people questioned his song choice at the weekend.

Speaking to The Xtra Factor, Take That star Gary said it was important for his protégé to try and mix it up a bit.

“He can’t come out singing piano ballads every week, we’ve got to go somewhere with Craig and he is an amazing vocalist,” the judge said, adding that he’s “feeling good” about his prospects.