X Factor: Dannii Minogue won't return to judge new series

Image source, PA

Image caption, The 40-year-old first appeared on the Simon Cowell-created show in 2007

Dannii Minogue won't be returning as a judge on The X Factor, a spokesperson for the show has confirmed.

Talks about her comeback have ended less than a week before the audition process is due to begin.

The 40-year-old was replaced last year by Kelly Rowland after filming clashed with her judging commitments on Australia's Got Talent.

Guest judges are being lined up for early auditions but producers are also looking for a permanent replacement.

It's hoped that a deal can be done in the coming days.

Former Destiny's Child singer Kelly Rowland has also ruled herself out, but the rest of the panel - Tulisa Contostavlos, Gary Barlow and Louis Walsh - are back on board.

Dannii Minogue was considering a return, despite recent claims that she had an affair with Simon Cowell, the show's creator.

The Australian singer and actress first appeared on the judging panel in 2007.

She originally joined for the fourth series, when Sharon Osbourne was still on the show.

However Osbourne didn't return for the fifth series and later hinted that she had quit because she didn't enjoy working with Minogue.

Dermot O'Leary will again be hosting this year's show, while it was also revealed this week that Britney Spears and Demi Lovato would be joining the US version of the show.