Sharon Osbourne promises X Factor harmony: 'The judges actually like each other'

Sharon Osbourne said there will be no personality clashes on the X Factor judging panel this year because the judges "actually like each other".

The fiery star, who left in 2008 amidst reports of tension with fellow judge Dannii Minogue, has joined Gary Barlow, Nicole Scherzinger and Louis Walsh on the panel for the upcoming series, replacing Tulisa Contostavlos.

She said: "It's way beyond that. We have respect for each other, we actually like each other".

She added: "There's no him or her, just mutual respect."

Show supremo Simon Cowell also made a brief appearance at the press conference in London's Mayfair Hotel telling reporters: "Once again I feel like a very proud daddy."

The show, which will be hosted by Dermot O'Leary, with Caroline Flack and newcomer Matt Richardson on spin-off show The Xtra Factor, returns to ITV on August 31.

This year's show features a new twist in the boot camp stage where each judge can either send an act home, or send them to one of six seats on the stage - with each chair representing a place at the Judges' Houses.

But getting a place on the seats does not secure a definite place in the next round with the judges able to change their mind and send home a seated contestant in favour of another hopeful.

PA