Battle of the judges: X Factor feud deepens as Dannii Minogue accuses Louis Walsh of criticising her for attention

In an outspoken interview last week, fellow panellist Louis said Dannii was no Kylie or Madonna and questioned why she was ever hired for the hit ITV show.

He also accused her of giving him a frosty reception on last year's show and said Simon Cowell is now more interested in flirting with new judge Cheryl Cole who he said was 'stealing the show'.

War of words: X Factor judges Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue

But 36-year-old Dannii has responded to Louis' barbed comments by accusing him of slagging her off just to get some media attention.

Speaking in her exclusive X Files column in Closer magazine, she said: 'Louis Walsh is at it again. It seems the only way he can make the headlines is by talking about me!

'Lou Lou wants some attention, like the naughty little boy he is.

THe new line-up Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh

'Last week, he claimed that I ignored him and Sharon on last year’s X Factor, and that I only talk to Simon.

'Er, no! I’m a good sport and up for a laugh - but he’s a naughty monkey talking about me again!”

Louis made his remarks in an interview with Heat magazine last week.

The Westlife manager, who was left licking his wounds after sidekick Sharon Osbourne quit the show over a pay dispute, said: 'She's (Dannii) not exactly Madonna or Kylie, is she? She hasn't had any hits. I don't know one of her songs. That's why I was surprised they hired her.'

But in a display of defiance, thick-skinned Dannii retorted: 'Louis adores of my sparkliest hits, Jump To The Beat and This Is It, so he’s secretly on Team Minogue!

'It’s probably fair to say that on last year’s show he poked fun at me and made jibes at any opportunity he had.

'He still hasn’t apologised, but as far as I’m concerned it’s all water under the bridge.'