I was shocked and surprised last night, when Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne failed to taunt Dannii Minogue about her failing pop career and single flop that was released this week.

However, it all became clear when I read an article in the Sun claiming that Simon Cowell had threatened to cut power to the pairs microphones if they continued to bully Minogue.

A show source told the newspaper: “All week Sharon and Louis have been whispering about how to slip little comments in.”

The insider added: “They’ve been told their mics will be cut if they make a single comment about her pop career.”