After the departure of Sharon Osbourne from the X Factor judging panel, you'd think that Louis Walsh would have nobody to fight with (other than Simon Cowell). But the feisty Irishman seems to have developed a dislike for Dannii Minogue.

Fightin' words: Louis Walsh

When asked about the Aussie beauty last night at the Pride of Britain Awards, the 56-year-old pop mogul snapped: "Dannii who? Oh Dannii, Kylie's sister, yeah she's on the show. I'm not saying anything."

And if that remarkable put-down wasn't enough, he added: "Cheryl [Cole] is the one to watch. I've got nothing but good to say about her. She is the star of the show."

There has been much talk about the rivalry between Dannii, 36, and 25-year-old that conveniently comes in the lull between X Factor auditions and finals, but Dannii's clearly done something to put Louis' knickers in a twist.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the awards ceremony at the London Television Centre, Dannii was doing her best to pour water over speculation of a rift with Cheryl.

She said: "People love a catfight. I don't know how many times I have to say this. If you don't believe me and don't believe Cheryl, then believe what you read."

Like this, for example. Whether Louis loves her or Dannii hates her, Cheryl may be facing a battle a bit closer to home - her burgeoning TV fame is proving to be a sore point for her Girls Aloud bandmates. Our source said: "It was bound to happen when one of them struck out alone and made an impact out of the band. But what's been a shock is the huge impact that Cheryl is having.

"The band's not as strong as it used to be because the others feel Cheryl is different. She gets asked many more questions in their interviews and promo rounds. She's getting all the attention. Instead of everything revolving around Girls Aloud, it's all about Cheryl and X Factor."

"Cheryl's worrying about what the others are saying behind her back but the others are worrying about the future of the band.

"They think she's changed but she hasn't. She can't help being good at something else and she certainly doesn't want the band to suffer."