Willoughby denies 'X Factor' rows

Holly Willoughby has denied rumours of backstage rows on the set of The X Factor.

The Xtra Factor host told The Mirror that tabloid speculation about behind-the-scenes tension between the judges was unfounded.

She said: "I'm there every single day and my job is to find out all of that backstage stuff and I've not seen one backstage spat - hand on my heart, nothing.

"Everybody would love there to be some rivalry between the judges, but they don't have the time - they're literally in make-up, on set, home. And the moment they have a tea break they have me running up to them."

Willoughby added that judge Simon Cowell had helped her settle in after she took over the presenting job from Fearne Cotton.

"He doesn't give me tips but he's always polite and makes time for me because I'm new," she commented.