Willoughby feared Minogue would quit

Rex Features

Holly Willoughby has admitted that she expected Dannii Minogue to quit The X Factor this year.

The 28-year-old Xtra Factor host revealed that she was glad to be proven wrong when Minogue signed up for the sixth series in June.

Aussie popstar Dannii had earlier indicated that she was considering leaving the show because she did not want to be parted from lover Kris Smith, who has modelling commitments in Melbourne.

Speaking to New! magazine, Willoughby commented: "It's good Dannii Minogue is back. I didn't think that she would sign up to return. I'm just pleased the old gang is back together."

The presenter also backed Simon Cowell's decision to introduce live audiences to the auditions for the first time.

She insisted: "Simon knows what he is doing. He's been around long enough to know what works, we should trust him."

The X Factor is expected to return to ITV1 next month.