Simon Cowell has reportedly told Cheryl Cole off, for defending struggling Strictly Come Dancing judge Alesha Dixon.

A source told The Daily Star: “Simon’s very much of the opinion of letting ‘Strictly’ get on with it.

“He knows he’s got the best show on TV and what they do is their own business. He wants everyone connected with the show to be pulling in the same direction and not getting distracted over the backlash with Alesha.

“Simon would rather Cheryl spoke about ‘The X Factor’. After all, if she talks about ‘Strictly’ all she is doing is giving a rival show free publicity.”

Defending Alesha, Cheryl had said: “She is a really strong woman. I think she is well qualified and I wish her the best of luck and hopes it all backs off for her.”