Minogue publicly fell out with feisty judge Sharon Osbourne when the petite Australian singer joined the ITV1 show last year.

Osbourne, who was replaced by Girls Aloud star Cole, claimed that Simon Cowell signed Minogue simply for her looks.

Minogue, whose chemistry with Cowell put her in the limelight in the last series, hit back by saying that Osbourne went out of her way to make her feel unwelcome on the X Factor.

Walsh, 56, said of Cowell: "He definitely flirted with Dannii throughout last year's series.

"But he seems to have moved on. He's flirting with Cheryl this year."

Asked whether Cowell had turned his attention to a "more attractive" model, he told Heat magazine: "Yes, you might say that. He's definitely paying attention to Cheryl now, not Dannii."

Walsh said of the show, which is about to go head-to-head with the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing show on Saturday nights, said: "I think it can go for a few more years.

"As long as the public want it and we get the talent through the door, and as long as we get the figures."