Sinitta: 'Dannii will be back next year'

Simon Cowell will invite Dannii Minogue back for another series of The X Factor next year, according to his ex-girlfriend Sinitta.

The former popstar, who is currently on holiday in Barbados with Cowell, confirmed that the music mogul is hoping to maintain the current panel of judges following the success of this year's run.

Recent reports have claimed that Minogue will be replaced by a male judge on the next series. Louis Walsh has also stated that he expects the Aussie popstar to be axed.

However, Sinitta told the Sunday Mirror: "[Dannii will] come back next year. She's been less visible backstage this year and hasn't been hanging out. She saw a Do Not Disturb sign on Simon's door and went away.

"I put it on so all the judges could hang out in peace together and get a proper feel for the show. I felt sad that she didn't realise 'keep out' didn't include her."

Sinitta also admitted that she struggled to get along with Sharon Osbourne when they first worked together on the show - as Minogue did when she joined the programme in 2007.

"I hated her in series one - and she knows that. I'd go home in tears," Sinitta explained. "Then I understood her, she is sweet and warm and loyal but speaks her mind. She'd love to come back. She thinks Cheryl [Cole] is fantastic, but is still not keen on Dannii."