X Factor bosses are reportedly furious after their BBC rival, Strictly Come Dancing managed to secure top star Beyonce Knowles to perform on their show weeks before she is due on The X Factor.

X Factor chiefs have signed the star to appear on their finale in December, however she will be appearing next month on Strictly, as will Take That who X Factor bosses are also rumoured to have signed.

‘As far as we are concerned we are the number one show on Saturday. If X Factor wants Beyonce, they’ll have to wait,’ said a BBC source.

‘She has signed and we’ve also got Take That confirmed for the coming weeks.’

But the X Factor chiefs are prepared to step up their game.

‘We aren’t happy Beyonce is doing Strictly, but she is just one of a number of huge names we’re getting,’ said an X Factor source.

‘We’ve also got Mariah Carey and Britney Spears – so we feel that we’ve got he best line-up.’