SIMON COWELL and DANNII MINOGUE

The Australian singer joined the judging panel on the hit TV show last year (07) but the series was marred by a series of rows with Osbourne.

And Minogue was rumoured to be so unhappy that she would not return for a second series.

But the star has signed a new contract and insists it was Cowell who inspired her to come back.

She says, "I was like a scared mouse when I realised Sharon has some personal mission against me. There were a lot of days where I felt I was being bullied.

"It's petty and I never retaliated.

"I'm just so thankful it's not just me, Sharon and Louis (Walsh, fellow judge), otherwise I don't think I would be going back to work. Thank God for Simon, he really did change my life."

Source: WENN