'Cheryl's always been there for me,' reveals Dannii Minogue as rival X Factor judges prepare for semi-final showdown

By Jessica Satherley



Yummy mummy: Dannii Minogue say she's bonded more with Cheryl Cole on the set of X Factor since having her son Ethan in July this year


Dannii Minogue might be about to face a battle in The X Factor semifinals against her fellow judge Cheryl Cole, but she’s admitted they’ve become close during the current series.

The Australian’s contestant Matt Cardle is up against the Geordie’s Cher Lloyd and Rebecca Ferguson in the semi-final, but that hasn’t deterred the judges’ friendship.

‘Cheryl’s always been there for me when I’ve had a hard time’, Dannii told Marie Claire in an interview appearing in their latest issue.


Although the women don’t hang out outside the show, saying ‘we’re all too busy’, Dannii said they’ve become closer during this series and since she gave birth to her son Ethan in July this year.

‘Cheryl said to me the other day, ‘I don’t know how you’re doing all this. I know how crazy it is when all the contestants are running in and out and I have no make-up on.

‘And then I think of you trying to fit in feeding the baby as well’’, she added.

Despite Cheryl dominating the headlines as the nation’s sweetheart since joining Dannii on The X Factor judging panel, Kylie Minogue’s little sister is happy with her popularity and body image now.


On-set bonding: Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole have bonded this year during the seventh series of X Factor, Dannii told Marie Claire


She has regularly spoken of being compared to her famous older sibling and used to think she was ‘the fat, ugly sister’, but those days are gone for Dannii.

‘Can you imagine for years being asked what it’s like to be Kylie’s sister? I guess it’s my turn now to enjoy what is going right’, she said.

Dannii has definitely become her own star away from Kylie now though and on top of her busy X Factor schedule and motherhood with partner Kris Smith, she also manages her own clothing range and perfume named Project D.

Despite the star launching the brand with business partner Tabitha Somerset Webb when she was six months pregnant, the collection has already been hailed a success and boasted celebrity clients such as Christine Bleakley and Amanda Holden.

But who she'd really like to see in one of her designs is Cheryl, and told Grazia magazine: 'I'd definitely like to see her in a Project D dress - I have a hummingbird one I think would look gorgeous on her and I'd love to see Rebecca [Ferguson] in one of our looks.'

And now her fan base has exploded, Cheryl isn’t Dannii’s only on-set X Factor supporter; Louis Walsh told Marie Claire: ‘Dannii is in it for real. She really cares.

‘I didn’t get her at first, but I do now. She’s a great girl; I really like her. She’s a fighter’, the Irish judge gushed.


Countdown to the finals: X Factor contestants Matt Cardle (left) and Cher Lloyd (right) will face each other and Rebecca Ferguson, Mary Byrne and One Direction in the semifinals this weekend


X Factor finalists: Mary Byrne (left) and Rebecca Ferguson (centre) pop to the pub for a break from their studio, where they've been rehearsing for this weekend's semifinal


And even though the 39-year-old mother-of-one has been on the ITV talent show since 2007, she admits she still gets nervous every time she walks out on stage.

‘I do find it nerve-racking. Every Saturday night at the beginning of the show when I step out onto the stage, I’m terrified.

‘Not about me, but how everyone’s going to get on – whether they’ll stuff it up. You just can’t help getting really involved with your people. It’s their life’, Dannii said.

Dannii has even more reason to be nervous over the next two weeks, as the show comes to end of its seventh series.

After Katie Waissel and Wagner were voted off the show last weekend, only five remaining acts will enter the semifinals this weekend.

Dannii’s last boy standing, Matt Cardle, will be joined on stage by Rebecca Ferguson, Cher Lloyd, Mary Byrne and boyband One Direction.

Although Cheryl Cole’s acts have won the last two series, with Alexandra Burke winning in 2008 and Joe McElderry in 2009, Dannii is confident that Matt Cardle has what it takes to be this year’s winner.


Confidence: Dannii Minogue thinks her last boy standing Matt Cardle has what it takes to be this year's X Factor winner



Source:Dailymail

Let it snow! Kate Garraway leads the celebrities taking advantage of the freezing temps in furry fashion

By Andrea Magrath



Winter wardrobe: Kate Garraway looks untroubled by the freezing temps in her fur coat


It was not just mere mortals who had to battle the elements when Londoners woke up to early winter snow this morning.

But while most of us dealt with delayed trains and buses, local celebrities appeared to have one thing on their minds - what to wear?

Kate Garraway led the way with an all-out winter wardrobe, spotted outside the ITV studios in a full-length fur coat.


Hats on! Fellow Daybreak news presenter Tasmin Lucia Khan left the London studios in a padded jacket and trendy trapper fur hat


Wrapped up in a sequinned beanie hat, a cozy jumper and heels, the Daybreak presenter looked untroubled by the chill as she left work this morning.

Other stars braving the elements were Elle Macpherson and Fearne Cotton, who both got caught in today's unseasonal snow.

Supermodel Elle managed to remain glamorous without a pair of Wellie boots or mittens in sight on this morning's school run.


Warm enough? Elle Macpherson makes the quick dash to her car in a fur-lined jacket and leather trousers on this morning's school run


Only having to make the short dash from her car to the school gate, the 47-year-old wore tight leather trousers, a knitted jumper and high heeled boots.

She added a cap, fur-lined jacket and sunglasses to the outfit, but looked like she might have been regretting leaving the gloves behind as she curled her cold hands up in her sleeves.

Fearne Cotton also took advantage of the opportunity for some winter fashion today, sporting a Russian-style fur hat.


Battling the elements: Fearne Cotton was caught in the snow as she left BBC Radio 1


The 29-year-old looked stylish as she left BBC's Radio 1 studios with an unmbrella in hand to avoid the snow flakes.

But her open coat, skirt and stockings ensemble may have left the radio DJ shivering as she made her way home.

One celebrity not too taken with the weather is Tina O'Brien.

The Coronation Street star was left stranded after her car broke down.


The 27-year-old was forced to wait in her freezing car with her two-year-old daughter Scarlett for three hours to be towed.

The actress kept herself entertained during the lengthy wait by chatting to fans on Twitter.

She wrote: 'Of all the days 4 the car 2 break down,and in rush hour traffic, getting some seriously filthy looks Jeeze I didn't do it on purpose people!'

She added: 'So cold :( come on mr breakdown Man please hurry up hypothermia is setting in.'

After a few hours, and uploading a photo of herself looking less than impressed, O'Brien gave up hope of being rescued by the AA and called on her father.

'Have abandoned all hope of ever getting rescued so dad is here to save me,' she tweeted.

While London celebrities only had to brave the cold temperatures and a light dusting of snow, those living in the countryside woke to find a blanket of white surrounding them.

Kerry Katona battled the slippery snow as she made her way to a waiting car outside her Surrey home this morning.

Also sporting the celebrity-winter uniform of fur, the reality star, currently filming her new series, stepped gingerly towards the vehicle with her minders in tow.

Do you have a story about a celebrity? Call the Daily Mail showbusiness desk on 0207 938 6364 or 0207 938 6683


Country scene: Kerry Katona's Surrey home received a good powdering



Source:Dailymail