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Mel B hits out at cheating claims

Feisty X Factor judge Mel B has lashed out at rumours the show is fixed, ahead of tonight’s grand finale between The Collective, Samantha Jade and Jason Owen.

Talking exclusively to New Idea about the outrageous claims, the outspoken judge leapt to the hit show’s defence.

"It can’t be rigged, legally it can’t be. That’s completely out of the question," she thundered.

But she does confess to a longstanding belief that the outcome is likely to favour Ronan Keating’s popular boy band.

"I must admit though, I’ve said from the beginning that The Collective is gonna win but you really just never know."

As for that other lingering controversy surrounding the hit show – the perceived bad blood between Mel and fellow judge Natalie Bassingthwaighte – the former Spice Girl insists talk of a bitter feud is all just hot air.

Although she does admit that the pair’s musical tastes are very different, and she finds herself disagreeing with Nat on air more often than not.

"Look, I was called Scary for a reason," she tells New Idea. "It’s my personality to be honest and say what I think."

But pressed further, Mel admits the pair’s barbed on air banter continued at a private party she and husband Stephen Belafonte recently hosted for the X Factor team.

When Nat turned up late after having trouble getting her baby off to sleep, hostess Mel had some things to say when she finally arrived.

See this week’s issue of New Idea – out now – for Mel’s full interview, and all the details of that awkward moment.