Cheryl Cole bonding with new mum Dannii

Pop star Cheryl and Australian singer Dannii are both judges on the British televised singing competition The X Factor, along with music mogul Simon Cowell and boyband guru Louis Walsh.

In the past there were rumours the show’s female judges didn’t get along, and were in stiff competition over who looked the most glamorous. But according to Sinitta - Simon’s ex-girlfriend who works backstage on the programme - the girls have really bonded this series.

The 42-year-old former pop star attributes their new-found closeness to Dannii giving birth to her and boyfriend Kris Smith’s first child in the summer, a boy called Ethan.

“They’ve both got big hearts and are sweet women, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s brought them closer,” Sinitta replied when new! magazine asked whether Dannii’s motherhood acted as a bond.

Despite 27-year-old Cheryl and 39-year-old Dannii getting along this series, Sinitta still doesn’t think the pair would ever spend too much time together outside of the show. According to the star, the two women would prefer to keep their relationship professional.

“I think it’s quite nice between them. They respect and admire one another but I don’t think they are, ‘Let’s hang out and go for drinks after work’ kind of buddies,” she admitted.