Ronan Keating is set to make a decision on his future and could leave Australia

The X Factor Judges together including Ronan Keating, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Dannii Minogue and Redfoo but for how much longer? Source: Supplied

 

The Daily Telegraph reports

Ronan Keating has become a popular fixture on Australian TV thanks to his judging role on The X Factor, but the popular Irishman could soon pack his bags and leave.

The former Boyzone star and father-of-three, on Queensland's Hamilton Island for race week, says he's been busy juggling filming duties on the talent show while preparing for his upcoming band tour.

He also has movie plans in the pipeline - and besides his career commitments in the UK, Ireland and Australia, he wants to find more time to devote to his girlfriend Storm Uechtritz and his children, aged 7, 12 and 14.

So his dreams of moving with his family to Australia permanently before his marriage breakup, most definitely have been put on the backburner.

In his first admission that perhaps Australia has lost its lustre for Keating, despite his Aussie model girlfriend, he has started talking wistfully of spending more time in Ireland.

"I want time for my career, my kids and my partner," Keating said.

"Being on this side of the world, as much as I love it, it's so far from home, so far from the kids and so far from my career there.

"I've had to make massive sacrifices for my career back there and be away from my children.

"It's difficult - Storm and I can be together wherever we are in the world, it's difficult with my kids and career, so I need to assess that for next year," says Keating, who is attending Hamilton Island Race Week with Uechtritz and his children as guests of the island's owner, the Oatley family.

Keating, who has been dating the Australian model and TV producer Uechtritz for 12 months, says he's loving being a part of the X Factor.

"I love the show, I love working with the team, the people, all of it is amazing, I don't knock anything. If I can't do it next year it's because of those things no other reason."

Keating said he's looking forward to his Boyzone tour across the UK and Ireland at the end of this year to mark the band's 20-year anniversary, as well as putting out a group album and a solo album next year.

"Music is my heart and soul, that's what I love to do," he said. The Dubliner, who made his acting debut in Australian film Goddess two years ago, also has other film projects in mind.

"I have some offers, but I want to find the right role, that's important."

Keating and Uechtritz found time in their busy schedules to relax on Hamilton Island, taking a boat to Whitehaven Beach and watching some of the sailing action on board the Oatley family's yacht.

"We're having the best time. I've never seen anything as beautiful as this," he said.

"We took the kids to Whitehaven Beach and it blew their minds. We went to the koala park, we had dinner on a boat, we've just had an incredible time.

"I'd love to buy a plot and have a little holiday home here, it really is special."

Dannii Minogue reunites with sister Kylie Minogue for X Factor TV special

The Minogue sisters, Dannii and Kylie, are joining forces on the X Factor. Source: Supplied



 
Cameron Adams, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

This year's X Factor has scored a major pop culture coup - reuniting Dannii and Kylie Minogue on screen.

It is the first time the musical sisters have worked together on Australian TV since a Young Talent Time concert in 1987.

"I don't even want to think of how long ago that was," Kylie said. "My hair was bigger, my waist was smaller ... good times."

Dannii, one of the judges on this year's X Factor, recruited sister Kylie to mentor her contestants on the reality TV hit.

The sisterly episode was filmed in New York last week, where Kylie is working on her new album.

It will air later this year on Channel 7.

It is Dannii's first time as a judge on the Australian X Factor, after finding success on the British show.

While the pair are no strangers to passing comment on singers on reality TV shows, until now it's been at home in private.

"Usually we're in pyjamas and ugg boots," Dannii said. "So this is a change. Kylie is a huge X Factor fan."

Older sister Kylie was Dannii's first choice as mentor, a role she performed on the UK X Factor four years ago.

"Dannii is so good at this, I'm just along for the ride," Kylie said. "It's really fun to do something together, so it was a done deal when she asked me.

"This feels normal for us. This kind of show is one of Dannii's natural habitats, but I do feel at home on a TV set and being with my sister. If you've grown up being a tennis player you're comfortable on a tennis court, we're both comfortable in this environment."

Kylie said she is unsure whether she would audition for The X Factor if she was starting out in the industry.

"I have questioned that myself. I don't know. I'm sure I wouldn't make it through. I really am."

Kylie will release a 'buzz' single from her 12th album, Skirt, shortly.

Soap idol Johnny Ruffo under the knife after appendicitis

Actor/singer Johnny Ruffo at the The Childrens Hospital, Westmead earlier this year / Pic: Supplied Source: The Daily Telegraph

 

 

The Daily Telegraph reports

Adolescent idol Johnny Ruffo was a no-show on the set of Home & Away yesterday after being rushed to hospital with a serious case of appendicitis.

The pop singer, who made a name for himself after appearing on The X Factor, then by winning Dancing With The Stars, was taken to hospital to have his appendix removed after experiencing excruciating stomach pains on Sunday evening.

The 25-year-old newbie actor, who plays Chris Harrington on the soapie, told Confidential he has been forced to take time off from the show following the operation.

"I'm fine, I'll be back at work in a couple of days," Ruffo said from his hospital bed.

A Channel 7 spokeswoman said Ruffo was in good hands and will be back on the Summer Bay set shortly.

"Johnny is recovering well and we look forward to having him back on set," she said.

Despite being cooped up in hospital, Ruffo still managed to keep his fans up to date on the release of his latest single.

"Not long now #untouchable can be pre-ordered on the 21st of June on iTunes," he posted from his Twitter account yesterday.

His latest hospital visit is the second in as many months.

Ruffo was a recent visitor to Sydney Children's Hospital at Randwick in the city's eastern suburbs to spend time with 10-year-old patient Jamieson Leeson, who had undergone spinal surgery.

Twenty-four years since living back home in Oz, Dannii excited to return

Dannii Minogue arrives in Melbourne / Pic: Splash Source: The Daily Telegraph

Johnathon Moran, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Twenty-four years since Dannii Minogue last lived in Sydney, the new The X Factor judge is looking forward to setting up home here.

With the reality TV production based out of Sydney's Fox Studios, Minogue will be spending a lot more time here in the coming months.

"The last time I lived here was when I did Home and Away, when I was 17," she said. "It is amazing I'm still alive. Entertainment years are like dog years, it is a long time."

Minogue, 41, began her new role on X Factor last week, replacing Mel B on the judging panel. LMFAO’s Redfoo has replaced Guy Sebastian while Ronan Keating and Natalie Bassingthwaighte return to the show for another year.

Channel Seven wins legal injunction to stop Mel B moving to Nine Network for new Australia's Got Talent series

Source: news.com.au

 

Holly Byrnes and Amy Dale, The Daily Telegraph, report

An ugly TV court battle has erupted over Channel Nine's new signing Mel B after her former employer Channel 7 won an injunction against the Spice Girl appearing on another network before next year.

Still smarting after being side-swiped by the defection to Nine’s reboot of Australia’s Got Talent, Seven took the celebrity judge to the NSW Supreme Court, crying foul over the pop star's poaching by Nine just weeks after she gave her notice.

In Seven’s successful claim today, it was alleged Scary Spice, aka Melanie Brown, was under a conditional contract preventing her from signing with any person or company other than Seven until January 31, 2014.

The terms of Brown’s X Factor deal were thought to have expired after Nine inked its new contract with the singer to join its new panel of judges, alongside British comedian Dawn French and Sydney radio host Kyle Sandilands, on a revamped version of the talent search series the network had secured after it was shelved by Seven.

Seven were clearly taken by surprise by Nine’s announcement this week that it had secured Brown’s services, after she told them she would not be returning to this year’s series of The X Factor for family reasons.

She has since left Sydney and taken up a role as a judge on the US reality series, America’s Got Talent, but now faces a fight to join the Aussie version of the global TV franchise.

The court ruled Brown was “restrained from entering into or performing any agreement with any person other than (Channel 7) for her to appear on television in Australia at any time before 31 January 2014.”

It also ordered her husband Stephen Belafonte against "assisting, inducing or otherwise procuring (Brown)” to enter into a deal with any network other than Channel 7.

The court heard the Nine Network will be added as a defendant alongside Brown in the case, when it returns for further hearings on March 25.

A spokeswoman for Channel 7 was tight-lipped, telling News Limited: “The court needs time to explore the facts and we await its decision.”

Her opposite at Nine publicity was more optimistic, stating: “We’re really excited to be working with Mel B on the bigger and better Australia’s Got Talent. We’re surprised Seven has taken this action.”

Guy Sebastian ready to bail out of the X Factor

Guy Sebastian / Pic: Ian Currie Source: The Daily Telegraph

Joel Christie, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Guy Sebastian is unlikely to return to The X Factor this year, according to widespread TV industry speak.

As the Battlescars superstar prepares for his biggest tour to date, performing more than 40 concerts across the country, well-placed sources say his priorities no longer lie with the Channel 7 talent search.

"He's the best artist (Australia) has - that's clear as day," a TV heavy told Confidential. "He's got this massive tour, the album is still new and then there's America. At the moment he definitely isn't on board (with X Factor). He's done three years and that's plenty."

The rumours follow confirmation that fellow judge Mel B has taken a seat at the panel on America’s Got Talent in LA, throwing in to doubt her return and sparking speculation she will join Nine's local version Australia's Got Talent.

As we reported this week, Mel has packed up her Sydney home and moved to the US.

She is replacing Sharon Osbourne, who is thought to be locked and loaded for AGT here with Chris Isaak.

The other half of The X Factor Australia panel, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Ronan Keating, are expected to reprise their roles on the series, which is in the auditioning stages.

Both Seven and Sebastian's management did not return calls yesterday.

The inaugural Australian Idol winner is the most successful judge on The X Factor and arguably the most popular, having won the last two years with his charges Reece Mastin and Samantha Jade.

Battlescars has brought him some much-wanted attention in America, where the single shot to No.1 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Song Chart.

Down Under on top of the ratings with home-grown hit TV shows

Boom time: Asher Keddie led the charge of Australian television successes in 2012 with roles in Paper Giants, Offspring and Hawke. Source: Supplied

Colin Vickery, The Daily Telegraph, reports

Every day is Australia Day on television. Last year 16 of the Top 20 regular programs were locally made and there is no reason to think this will change in 2013.

Aussie-produced TV series including The Voice, My Kitchen Rules, The X Factor, The Block, and Packed to the Rafters rule the ratings roost.

Last year viewers were blessed with terrific telemovies on the commercial stations including Beaconsfield and Underground, the ABC kept rolling out quality local dramas such as Redfern Now and Jack Irish while SBS won plaudits with the second series of Go Back To Where You Came From.

This year looks like another bottler. Ten is promising historical shipwreck drama Batavia, based on the Peter Fitzsimons bestseller. Seven has Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS. Nine will unleash Power Games: The Packer-Murdoch Story.

And the ABC has Paper Giants: The Birth of Cleo follow-up Magazine Wars, with Rachel Griffiths and Mandy McElhinney as women's magazine editors Nene King and Dulcie Boling.

"The great news is that all the broadcasters are investing more in local content," Shine Network president Mark Fennessy says.

Things weren't always this good. Three decades ago, Aussie dramas including Number 96, Homicide and The Sullivans had to fight against a tidal wave of American and British shows.

Leading Aussie producer Susan Bower (A Country Practice, Neighbours), has witnessed the shift. "Back then we were fed a diet of American sitcoms and dramas," Bower says. "To get an Australian voice was quite extraordinary. Now we have a smorgasbord of Aussie shows that should account for everyone's taste - from The Slap to Offspring to House Husbands."

Australia has developed its own star system with actors including Asher Keddie, Lisa McCune and Rebecca Gibney commanding loyal followings among TV viewers.

Gibney, for example, has two new shows in development at Seven while McCune is producing as well as starring in the family drama Reef Doctors for Ten.

"These actors bring a ratings boost to any show they star in," media analyst Steve Allen says.

Keddie - star of Offspring, Hawke and Paper Giants - has stamped herself as one of Australia's most prodigious acting talents - and she has done it without fleeing Australia to 'try her luck' in America.

"The opportunities are here in Australia," Keddie says. "I'm in a very lucky place."

Australian content has become more important, in part, because smash American and British shows are so rare in Australia these days.

Last year, only Revenge and Downton Abbey were breakout hits.

Networks used to base their programming year around their overseas shows - stitched up in output deals with the major US studios - but now they know they're better off creating home-grown Aussie hits. "If you look at it, there have only been a few big hit shows since the year of Desperate Housewives, Lost and Grey's Anatomy," Channel 7 CEO Tim Worner says.

Not everything works. Ten hit a brick wall last year when Breakfast, Everybody Dance Now, I Will Survive and The Shire failed.

The world is taking notice of Australian acting and production talent as well as our formats. Chris Lilley's Angry Boys was co-financed by America's HBO network.

In the US, Griffiths had a big success with Brothers & Sisters and Toni Collette won an Emmy for The United States of Tara. Rafters' Jessica Marais snagged a major role in Magic City.

An American version of Wilfred, starring Elijah Wood, is a cult smash. Its creator, Adam Zwar, is now busy fielding offers for international versions of his shows Agony Aunts and Lowdown.

"We (Australian comedians) are getting confident - and that is a big step," Zwar says. "There's a group of comic writers, directors and performers that's coming of age."

That Dannii Minogue rumour a bit Ruffo for Johnny

Hunky Johnny Ruffo / Pic: Justin Lloyd Source: The Daily Telegraph

The Daily Telegraph reports

Home and Away newcomer Johnny Ruffo has denied a relationship with newly-single TV star Dannii Minogue after they were said to have hooked up at an afterparty this year.

While the X Factor sprite and Australia's Got Talent judge were believed to have got together at the Dancing With The Stars wrap party, Ruffo yesterday maintained the relationship was all rumour. "I was talking to her after I performed but we just had a chat - nothing else," he told Confidential. "That's definitely one of (the rumours) that aren't right."

The Summer Bay stud, off to LA in January to work on his debut album, stripped in Pitt St Mall yesterday for the launch of Jay Jay's watches.

And he wasn't worried about it at all. "As long as you stay healthy and fit, it's not a particularly hard thing to do," he said. "I try to go to the gym every spare chance I get and try not to eat carbs."

Ruffo said he was currently single.

X Factor hits top-note in ratings

X Factor winner Samantha Jade with Guy Sebastian.

 

Andrew Murfett, The Sydney Morning Herald, reports

Although it obliterated the competition served up by the other networks last night, the grand final edition of The X Factor did not draw the blockbuster viewing numbers some expected.

The series, which has dominated early week ratings nationally for the last quarter, crowned Samantha Jade Gibbs its winner in a glittering concluding episode last night.

Although the final five-city metro figure of 2.162 million was certainly impressive, and delivered the Seven network its second-strongest market share figure for the year, it did not come close to equalling the conclusion of Nine's blockbuster The Voice in June.

It should be acknowledged, however, that it compares favourably with last year's X Factor finale, which landed 2.02 million viewers.

The average figure for last night's episode was 1.87 million. Again, this bested last year's final instalment figure, which was 1.72 million. The good news for the network is that it sets Seven up for a huge win in the second-last week of official ratings for the year.

The series has averaged about 1.5 million viewers an episode this season – an extraordinary result in itself – so the finale figure offers a modest increase.

Still, having being such a dominant force in ratings in the last quarter, Seven were quietly hoping for an even better result. The Nine network was able to draw 2.65 million for the last Voice episode this year and a colossal 3.09 million for the announcement of the winner.

Similarly, Nine was also able to grab 2.969 million for its announcement of the winner of The Block this year and 2.191 million for the final episode.

Seven's Dancing With The Stars finale this year averaged 1.234 million viewers. Its monster ratings smash My Kitchen Rules picked up 2.812 million viewers for its winner's announcement in late March and 2.198 million for its final episode.

The top-rating Australian reality TV broadcast of all-time remains the 2010 conclusion to MasterChef , which yielded a whopping 3.9 million viewers.

My date with Reece led to death threats, says Rhiannon Fish

Home and Away star Rhiannon Fish pictured at Bronte beach yesterday. Picture: Tim Hunter Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Zoe Nauman, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

Summer Bay stunner Rhiannon Fish says she has received numerous death threats since she began dating The X Factor winner Reece Mastin - but maintains their romance is worth it.

While the 21-year-old starlet admitted she was stunned by the online threats at first, she said she was now laughing them off.

"People send me messages on Twitter saying, 'I hate you, I can't believe you are dating my husband', but you just have to laugh at it," she said.

"He's worth it, the death threats I can overlook. I'm serious: these little rockers, they're nuts."

Indeed, Fish, who plays April Scott in hit Seven soap Home And Away, said she was happier than ever.

The pair are spending the weekend with Mastin's parents in Adelaide,

and she is hoping he will meet her mum and dad in a few weeks.

"My dad works in Russia and my mum lives in Melbourne," she said. "My mum is obsessed with him; she is very excited.

"I haven't seen him play live yet but hopefully I'll be able to take my family. It's going to be so cool. I feel privileged to be able to watch him. I think he's going to go so far."

Canadian-born Fish got to know Mastin when she filmed a role on his video for Shout It Out in June.

She was then in a two-year relationship with Lincoln Lewis, but the pair split shortly after she returned from the shoot, leading to suggestions the singer was the cause.

But Fish insists friendship blossomed first between herself and Mastin, and it was when the singer went to Los Angeles for work in July she realised there

was something more to their relationship.

"We became friends during the shoot and hung out on a friends basis for a very long time," she said.

Biggest ratings battle to date starts Sunday night

Nine will be in big trouble if Big Brother doesn't work, says media analyst, Steve Allen. Picture: Channel Nine Source: news.com.au

Colin Vickery, The Daily Telegraph, reports

TV audiences will be spoilt for prime time viewing choices in a $100 million TV war that begins Sunday night.

That is when Channel 10 will unleash Sarah Murdoch-hosted talent show Everybody Dance Now.

Dance is the start of a mammoth roll-out by Ten that includes I Will Survive, Puberty Blues, Don’t Tell the Bride and Can of Worms with new host Chrissie Swan.

Nine is firing back with a swag of new shows including Underbelly: Badness, Big Brother, Howzat!, House Husbands, The Farmer Wants a Wife, Charlie Sheen’s Anger Management and Dallas.

Seven has The X Factor, US drama GCB, and Beauty & The Geek ready to roll.

This is the fiercest ratings battle yet and viewers will be spoiled for choice.

Media analyst Steve Allen says Ten is taking a big chance by coming out of the gates first.

Ten is relying on local shows to boost its ratings fortunes after a being swamped by Seven and Nine in the first half of the year.

“This is a huge roll of the dice (for Ten) and it is Aussie, Aussie, Aussie,” Allen says.

One of the big questions is whether three talent shows – Dance, Survive and X Factor – can all flourish at the same time.

Ten is putting Dance up against the Olympics. It poached Packed to the Rafters star Hugh Sheridan for Survive.

Allen doubts they can all be hits.

“You can’t double or triple a genre,” Allen says. “The overall audience goes up but the averages fall.”

Big Brother is Nine’s most crucial show. The reality show, hosted by Sonia Kruger, is set to run for three months.

A strong ratings performance by Big Brother will boost all of Nine’s other shows.

“If Big Brother doesn’t get up, Nine will have a lot of problems,” Allen says.

Seven and Nine are in a neck-and-neck battle for 2012 ratings supremacy.

Seven scored first blood with My Kitchen Rules but Nine hit back with The Block and The Voice.

Seven is taking a punt on Kath & Kim repeats and programs that have already screened on Foxtel – Smash and Killing Time.

Channel 10:

Everybody Dance Now
Dance talent show hosted by Sarah Murdoch. Kelly Rowland and Jason Derulo are in charge of 88 dance acts chasing the $250,000 first prize.
Starts: August 12

I Will Survive
Talent show looks for singer/dancer/actor to be in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert stage show. Hosted by Packed to the Rafters star Hugh Sheridan.
Starts: August 22

Puberty Blues
TV reboot of classic Aussie novel by Gabrielle Cary and Kathy Lette. Cast includes Claudia Karvan.
Starts: August 15

Don’t Tell the Bride
Reality show where grooms plan weddings. Hosted by Kate Ritchie.
Starts: August 21

Can of Worms
Chrissie Swan replaces Ian ‘Dicko’ Dickson for show that asks curly moral questions.
Starts: August 20

Channel 9:

Underbelly Badness
Latest in crime franchise stars Jonathan LaPaglia as Sydney underworld figure Anthony “Badness” Perish.
Starts: August 13

The Farmer Wants a Wife – Love Bites
Six farmers go on 200 speed dates in the latest edition of Nine’s romance series.
Starts: August 15

Big Brother
Family-friendly version of famed reality show on a new network. Hosted by Sonia Kruger.
Starts: August 13

Howzat!
Lachy Hulme stars as media mogul Kerry Packer in this two-part drama about World Series Cricket.
Starts: August 19

Anger Management
Charlie Sheen returns to sitcoms after getting fired from Two and a Half Men.
Starts: August 14

House Husbands
Aussie drama about men who raise kids. Gary Sweet, Rhys Muldoon, Gyton Grantley and Firass Dirani play title roles.
Starts: August/September

Dallas
Original Dallas cast including Larry Hagman, Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy return for soap opera about wealthy Dallas oil and cattle-ranching family.
Starts: August/September

Channel 7:

The X Factor
Same judges – Ronan Keating, Guy Sebastian, Natalie Bassingthwaite, Mel B – new talent including Bella Ferraro and boyband What About Tonight.
Starts: August 20

GCB
US drama from Sex and the City creator Darren Starr. Kristin Chenoweth and Leslie Bibb play southern belles.
Starts: August/September

Kath & Kim: The Souvenir Editions
Repackaged episodes of Kath & Kim with new introductions by Gina Riley and Jane Turner.
Starts: August/September

Smash
Broadway drama starring Debra Messing and Anjelica Huston. Think of it as a grown-up Glee.
Starts: August/September

Killing Time
David Wenham stars in acclaimed mini-series about disgraced lawyer Andrew Fraser.
Starts: August/September

Popstar Pink is planning to return to Australian shores for a family holiday

Pink steps out with her daughter Willow for some shopping in Malibu. The singer plans to take a holiday in Australia soon. Picture: Snapper Media Source: The Sunday Telegraph

J.Mo and Elle, The Sunday Telegraph, report

Get ready for a long-awaited dose of Pink.

After taking time off for the birth of her first child, Willow Sage, plans are in the works for Australia's favourite US pop superstar to soon return to our shores.

While record label Sony Music Australia is keeping mum on the details, our spies tell us the 32-year-old will be appearing on The X Factor in September to launch her much-anticipated sixth studio album.

Her new single - Blow Me (One Last Kiss) - is released on Friday night.

"You are really going to like it, cuz I really like it and I like it enough for all of us. See you soon!" Pink said in a video message posted on her website last month.

"Willow played bells and bass on a couple of other songs."

Australia is one of Pink's biggest markets. She spent more than three months (and a whopping record 58 shows) touring here in 2009.

In May, she told her Twitter fans she will be in Australia "soon".

"Hi Australia. What's been up. I miss your musk. Bringing my little koala bear over there real soon. Can't wait," she tweeted, referring to her one-year-old daughter.

"I can't wait for her to hear all the accents she's gonna hear soon."

We can't wait either.

Ronan Keating dumps life in Sydney

X Factor judges Ronan Keating, Mel B, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Guy Sebastian before the filming of the Sydney auditions at the Entertainment Centre. Picture: Rohan Kelly Source: The Sunday Telegraph

Richard Clune, The Sunday Telegraph, reports

Irish singer Ronan Keating has arrived back in Sydney, eager to spruik the upcoming new season of The X Factor - but he's also admitted his plans to relocate permanently to Australia have been sidelined given his recent marriage breakdown.

Twelve months ago, Keating happily nattered about his desire to move his family here - but given last year's separation from wife of 14 years, Yvonne Connolly, he admitted his new focus is on time with his children Jack, Marie and Ali in Dublin.

"My life is different now, my kids are at home and I need to be there as much as I can," said Keating, during a filming break last Thursday with X Factor judges Mel B, Natalie Bassingthwaighte and Guy Sebastian.

"I'll still work around the world but I want to be with them as much as I can. At the end of the day I don't want them to feel like things have changed dramatically, that's very important."

In Sydney for the next round of X Factor auditions, Keating said he believed the format remained the standout of the reality singing genre. This despite the current ratings dominance of Nine's The Voice.

"Yeah I heard the [The Voice] ratings were rocking. It's good to have competition - it means everyone lifts their game and really I think X Factor is the best format out there as it doesn't lose any of its magic on the way through. We don't have any gimmicks.

"We also give honest critiques, we give the good and the bad and people at home genuinely like that and want that, and other shows have failed at that and slacked off."

Keating said Melbourne had "not delivered" during the audition process so he hoped the Sydney leg would again unearth a star akin to last year's winner Reece Mastin.

Beyond the X Factor, Keating will this week attend the Cannes Film Festival in France to promote his flick Goddess before shooting a "massive film" in Los Angeles in July.

Ronan Keating keen on X Factor UK transfer

Ronan Keating wants to be closer to his kids in the UK. Picture: Channel 7 Source: Supplied

The Herald Sun reports

X Factor Australia judge Ronan Keating said he would quit the hit Channel 7 show, but only if he could get a job on the British version of the show.

"I would love it, I would be close to my kids. That would be an absolute dream. It's tough being so far from home."

Asked whether he would switch if offered a job on The Voice, the Boyzone star said: "It's a great show. But I'm loyal to X Factor, I do love it."

Keating walked the red carpet in London on the weekend for the Olivier Awards - his first public appearance since splitting with wife of 14 years, Yvonne.

Cowell's love and lust for our Dannii

Judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh on the set of UK X-Factor.. Source: PerthNow

The Daily Telegraph reports

Simon Cowell admits he was for years in "genuine love" with Dannii Minogue - even remodelling the panel of his UK show The X-Factor to be closer to his co-star - claims a controversial new biography on the TV tycoon.

Quotes from the music mogul saying he was "like a schoolboy" staring at "her tits", coupled with Minogue's recent split from partner of four years Kris Smith, have led to rampant reports the pair were having an affair.

Written by former BBC journalist Tom Bower, a major chunk of The Intimate Life Of Simon Cowell centres around the 52-year-old multi-millionaire's infatuation with Minogue ("She was foxy. She was a real man's girl. Very feminine," he said) but does not feature any confirmation they engaged in any kind of relationship.

Rumours that the pair were together first surfaced in 2008 - before Minogue met Smith in September of that year - following the publication of a grainy photograph that appeared to show them holding hands in the back of a car.

At the time Minogue denied the suggestion, saying: "We were not holding hands. But no one believes me. It was the angle of the picture."

Minogue - who finished up working with Cowell on The X-Factor in 2010 - refused to comment on the tome yesterday when Confidential contacted her people.

Over the years Cowell has forged a reputation for going to great lengths to court women - fellow Australian Natalie Imbruglia said to be one of the more recent - and then losing interest.

British pop star Olly Murs is back in goon land

British pop star and X Factor finalist Olly Murs seems to be modeling himself on his idol Robbie Williams. Picture: Music Sony Source: Supplied

The Daily Telegraph reports

British pop star Olly Murs will be hoping to enjoy the same career boost here as fellow X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson when he lobs for a chat in a couple of weeks.

Murs, who came second in the UK's sixth series, credits a three-month stint backpacking in Australia for confirming his decision to chuck in his day job and pursue a singing career.

And his love of "goon".

"Coming back there is going to be one of the highlights," he said.

"Australia gave me the freedom to change my life; it opened my eyes to what life is all about and what you can achieve - and to drinking goon.

"So I decided to become a singer and I came home to focus on that. Now going back, I feel everything has come full circle."

The cheeky pop star, who seems to be modelling himself on his hero Robbie Williams, has an unenviable reputation back home for splitting his pants.

There is a hilarious YouTube clip with Murs' embarrassing wardrobe malfunction while demonstrating warm-up exercises for an upcoming British charity sports event.

"Yes, that actually happened. I was showing people how to warm up, bent over and split my trousers," he said. "I did it on my UK tour as well while I was performing. Luckily I was wearing underpants that day or my fans would have seen everything."

Murs arrives in Australia on April 23, with his reggae-flavoured single Heart Skips A Beat on radio now and In Case You Didn't Know record out on Friday.