'X Factor' judges demand salary increase

X Factor judges Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh have demanded an extra £250,000 each to appear in a second series of the show, according to The Mirror today.

The pair apparently think that they are a key part of the show's success, and that they deserve the extra cash for putting up with rival judge Simon Cowell.

An insider told the newspaper, "Sharon and Louis are in talks about the new series. They want to get in early, so Cowell knows exactly where they stand. Both know their own worth.

"Sharon, particularly, is also fed up with Simon and has made no secret of the fact she has no time for him. She sees the money as compensation for putting up with him."

However, production company Thames explained, "We would never comment mid-series on whether X Factor is being recommissioned and we never comment on salaries."