Paula Abdul made Cheryl Cole's life hell

Behind the scenes Cheryl Cole and Paula Abdul didn't get on...

Paula Abdul didn't gel on with Cheryl Cole

Despite public declarations of mutual admiration between Paula Abdul, 48, and younger rival Cheryl Cole, Now has learnt that behind the scenes on The X Factor US, there was seething bitterness.

‘Paula didn't take to Cheryl at all and treated her like they were in high school,' says Now's insider.

‘She completely blanked her and pretended not to know anything about her. Cheryl was supposed to sit next to Simon, but Paula threw a tantrum and Simon backed down.

‘Paula was really passive aggressive and she said things to Cheryl like: "That's an interesting outfit - you have unusual style."

'But Cheryl didn't help herself either.

'Instead of playing up to Paula, she took the bait and she was cold towards her when the cameras were off.

'Cheryl has told pals she feels there was a conspiracy to make her life as difficult as possible
on the set.

'It was things like the crew and production people constantly going: "Huh?" and "What?" at everything she said when the network bosses were around.

'It was as if they went out of their way to prove a point.

‘On one occasion Cheryl said she couldn't get to a meeting because there were so many of Paula's huge entourage crowding around and blocking her access, practically having a party and completely ignoring her.'

The friend says Cheryl was dragged into a producers' meeting a few days before the axing and told she ‘had to be more combative with Paula in auditions'.

The pal adds: ‘She tried her best, but every time she piped up someone - usually Paula - would say they didn't understand her.

‘Cheryl was fuming and she confronted Paula about her bitchy attitude. They had an explosive row with insults flying everywhere.

'It got so heated that Cheryl's infamous temper kicked off and she called Paula a c*** to her face. Her fate was sealed after that.'

Read the full story about Cheryl Cole's X Factor exit in Now magazine dated 6 June - out now!!

SEE PICTURES The photos of Paul Abdul and Cheryl Cole Simon Cowell didn't want you to see>>

Now cover 6 June 2011