Cowell argues with Cole over girl band

Simon Cowell clashes with Cheryl Cole for the first time in tonight's X Factor episode after he accuses a girl group of trying too hard.

Best friends Tia Lau, Layla Manoochehri, Phoebe Lau and Marisa Biliterri from Bristol hope to become the first group to win the ITV1 talent series, but their choice of outfits fails to impress Cowell.

"It's all a little bit over-dressed, too thought out," Cowell explains. "I would have rather four girls like you come in, in jeans."

Cole, who found fame on Popstars: The Rivals, hits back: "In fairness, when you come to an audition, you come dressed how you feel best. You don't think 'I'm gonna throw on a pair of jeans and a jumper' because if they had, you would've said, 'I didn't think you tried with the clothes!'"

When Cheryl claims that the group have succeeded in standing out from their rivals, Cowell continues the bickering, telling the girls: "Yeah, but that's not a compliment."

Refusing to be undermined, Cole continues: "Take it as one."

Tune in to The X Factor at 7.30pm on ITV1 to see if the judges can set aside their differences and come to a decision about the girls.