X Factor Minogue is 'not dumped'

Minogue said Hylton "may be X-Factor's Robbie Williams"

X Factor contestant Rachel Hylton has rejected press reports that she has "dumped" her mentor Dannii Minogue.

According to The Mirror newspaper, Hylton had "sacked" Minogue to compete without the aid of a judge.

But 26-year-old mother-of-five Hylton issued a statement to say: "Dannii is still very much my mentor and I respect her opinions.

"All I want is a little more control over my performance and styling, which she is allowing me to have."

'Team Minogue'

She added: "But I am a fully fledged member of Team Minogue."

Hylton narrowly escaped being voted off last week's show after landing in the bottom two contestants.

Following her performance, Hylton told ITV2's Xtra Factor programme that she had struggled with the show's disco theme and lost her confidence as a result.

"Rachel has not 'dumped' her mentor Dannii Minogue, in fact the two have been working closely together all week," a statement from the show said on Wednesday.

It added that Rachel would have "more ownership over her song choice and styling of the performance".

Minogue said: "Rachel and I have not fallen out and there has never been any discussion that she wishes to leave Team Minogue.

"Rachel is a raw talent. She may be the Robbie Williams of The X Factor, but I back her 100% and want her to be happy."

The X Factor charity single, Hero, sung by the show's 12 finalists, is at the top of the UK charts for a second week this week.