Simon Cowell faces a backlash from 'X Factor' fans after judge Dannii Minogue was “forced out” of this year’s show.
The Aussie star, 39, voted the most popular on the panel in a viewers’ poll last year, announced the news in a shock statement.
Both Dannii and Cowell blamed scheduling problems for her exit however The Mirror reports that insiders say bosses decided she would not fit in with the new line-up.
Producers are said to have settled on controversial N-Dubz star Tulisa Contostavlos, 22, to replace her.
The move has sparked outrage among some fans who say she has the wrong image for a family show.
One fan wrote on the internet: “Replacing Dannii Minogue with Tulisa? X Factor is going downhill.”
Dannii pictured in London at a launch last month
A show source said: “Dannii announced her own departure but didn’t really have much choice.
“The audition dates were arranged around new judge Gary Barlow and Simon wasn’t prepared to bend over backwards for her.”
Cowell, who was in LA with girlfriend Mezhgan Hussainy, contacted Dannii to ensure no hard feelings.
Another source said: “He stressed it was a business decision, to give the show a fresh look, rather than a vendetta against her. She said she understood.”
