Simon 'wanted Dannii on panel'

Simon Cowell wanted Dannii Minogue in the next series of the X Factor, his publicist Max Clifford has insisted.

Dannii, 39, has blamed scheduling difficulties with Australia's Got Talent for her absence from this year's judging panel.

Mr Clifford said: "He (Cowell) definitely wanted to keep her in because she was very popular and has worked very well."

Both Cowell and Cheryl Cole will also be absent this year, while they shoot American X Factor, leaving only one established judge, Louis Walsh, this year.