Wednesday, 5 November 2008

UPDATE: The X Factor's Rachel Hylton 'sacks' Dannii Minogue

Mum-of-five wants to choose her own songs

Rachel Hylton was a drug addict

Rachel Hylton is said to be refusing to work with Dannii Minogue on The X Factor.

The mum-of-five, who was in the bottom two on Saturday, is thought to be upset about her mentor’s song choices.

‘There is total breakdown in communication between the two girls,’ says a source.

‘She is desperate to win the competition but she feels she has no chance if Dannii keeps giving her the wrong tracks to perform.

‘It has been bubbling under for weeks, ever since Dannii gave her the Robyn track Every Heartbeat to sing which really didn’t complement her amazing voice.

'But it was the final straw when she ended up in the bottom two. She demanded Dannii had to go.’

Simon Cowell, 49, is even believed to have tried to act as a mediator to ease tensions between Rachel, 26, and Dannii, 37.

‘He does realise she can be a handful and that Dannii has a difficult time trying to handle that,’ the source tells the Daily Mirror.

'The way Dannii has dealt with Rachel has really put her mentoring skills under the spotlight.’

But show bosses have rubbished the claims.

‘Despite rumours in today's press we can confirm that Rachel has not "dumped" her mentor Dannii Minogue, in fact the two have been working closely together all week,' reads a statement.

'Being in the bottom two last week knocked Rachel's confidence and the pair have agreed that Rachel will have more ownership over her song choice and styling of the performance this weekend but she is still very much part of Team Minogue.'