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Wednesday February 25, 2009

Dannii Mingoue will reprise her role as a judge on the next series of The X Factor after Simon Cowell doubled her £500,000-a-series salary, according to reports.

Mingoue will receive £1m per-series to bring her pay in line with fellow judge Cheryl Cole’s seven-figure contract.

Speaking at Elton John’s post-Oscar party Sunday, Cowell told the Daily Mirror that rumors Lily Allen or Victoria Beckham would step in to replace to Dannii are “nonsense” and he was “adamant” the Aussie singer would be returning to the ITV talent show.

He said, “As far as the judging panel is concerned, let’s just say that if I was a betting man my money would be on Dannii returning to the show.

“She was great last year and I am adamant she should be there for the next series. All being well, pen will be put to paper this week.

“Despite all the fuss concerning Dannii and Cheryl, I think the four judges worked really well together and gelled. There was an excellent chemistry. There’s been a lot of rubbish written about just who will be on the show, with people like Victoria Beckham supposedly in the frame. That was absolute nonsense – I never approached her.”

A source added, “Dannii feels she has been a bit redundant but Simon pleaded with her to stay and has offered her a much more lucrative deal, doubling her £500,000 fees to £1million. The new deal will put her on a par with Cheryl, who has also been offered £1million to stay on for the next series. The deal includes the spin-off ITV2 show, promotion and other commitments.

“Dannii is very excited and can’t wait to sign on the dotted line.”

Showbiz Spy reported Tuesday that Girls Aloud star Cole threatened to quit the show if Cowell replaced Minogue.