A former stylist for the X Factor has spoken out about the ‘tense’ environment on the show as judges Cheryl and Dannii Minogue were pitted against each other.
Grace Woodward, 46, who worked as fashion director on the series in 2010, revealed that Cheryl was ‘vulnerable’ and ‘volatile’ during the show’s peak.
She admitted that she had seen both Dannii, 50, and Cheryl, 38, ‘in tears’ as the pressures of their ‘unsecure’ roles had Cheryl ‘singing for her supper.’
Dannii sat on the show’s judging panel from 2007 to 2010 while Cheryl featured from 2008–2010, returning for 2014 to 2015.
‘She was singing for her supper’: Cheryl, 38, was left ‘in tears’ on the X Factor as she was pitted against Dannii Minogue – a former stylist on the show has revealed
Grace spoke out about the ‘expendability’ of females on the ITV series as the likes of One Direction, Cher Lloyd, Rebecca Ferguson rocketed to fame, with Matt Cardle triumphing as 17.2 million viewers tuned in.
The stylist confessed that she had a spat with Cheryl when they argued over one of Rebecca’s costumes, with Grace describing Cheryl as ‘vulnerable’ and ‘volatile’ during her time on the series.
In an Interview with The Sun Grace said: ‘She also seemed volatile. The mask would be on, but then it would slip and you could see that underneath it there was a real sensitivity. In week two we had quite a heated disagreement ahead of the show.’
Judge: Dannii (pictured) sat on the show’s judging panel from 2007 to 2010 while Cheryl featured from 2008–2010, returning for 2014 to 2015
She explained the importance of Cheryl’s contestant, Rebecca needing to look ‘innocent’, which sparked a heated debate between the pair.
Grace continued: ‘It created a lot of tension from that point on. But I always thought that was because of the pressure Cheryl was under in her role. She was singing for her supper as much as the rest of us.’
The creative added that Dannii too felt the pressures as she fought to present her artists in ‘the right way’ and she also saw her ‘in tears.’
Tense: Grace Woodward, 46, who worked as fashion director on the series in 2010, has revealed that Cheryl, was ‘vulnerable’ and ‘volatile’ during the shows peak
Panel: Grace spoke out about the ‘expendability’ of females on the ITV series as the likes of One Direction, Cher Lloyd, Rebecca Ferguson rocketed to fame, with Matt Cardle triumphing
Grace explained: ‘You only have to look at how many times the female judges changed during the show’s history to see their places on that panel were not that secure.’
Cheryl replaced Sharon Osbourne on The X Factor UK in 2008, working alongside Danni, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh, leaving the show in 2011.
An X Factor spokesman told MailOnline: ‘These allegations are unsubstantiated, dating back 12 years on a show that is no longer in production or on television.
They continued: ‘The wellbeing of everyone involved in any of our programming is paramount and we have thorough and robust duty of care protocols in place to provide support for anyone who may need it including psychologists on hand to provide expert opinion.
‘If we are made aware of any concerns, we treat the issue seriously and investigate immediately.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for ITV, The X Factor, Simon Cowell and Syco, Dannii Minogue, Cheryl, Liam Payne, Cher Lloyd, Katie Waissel, and Matt Cardle for comment.
Contender: She explained the importance of Cheryl’s contestant, Rebecca Ferguson needing to look ‘innocent’, which sparked a heated debate between the pair.
Last year, Simon pulled the plug on the ITV talent show – which launched in 2004 and last aired in 2018 – because he didn’t want the programme to ‘become a bit of a joke’.
While around the world the format is still successful, it seems Simon accepted in the UK ‘it has become slightly stale’ and so reportedly decided to ‘shelve it’ for five years, but sources are claiming it’s now ‘unlikely’ to ever return.
A show insider told The Sun last year: ‘Globally, it is still a phenomenon and rakes in millions every year. But in the UK, there is no question it has become slightly stale.
‘Simon remains at the top of his game and knows how to make a hit. He owns the rights to the show, and it’s his call — not ITV’s — whether or not he drops it.
‘Clearly the last thing he wants is for X Factor to fizzle out with a whimper and become a bit of a joke — especially in contrast to the show in its pomp.’
Grace explained: ‘You only have to look at how many times the female judges changed during the show’s history to see their places on that panel were not that secure’