Rumors are swirling that Simon Cowell may fire Sharon Osbourne from her judging post on “The X Factor” after she ripped on Dannii Minogue. Sharon Osbourne commented on British TV’s “The Graham Norton Show” last week that Minogue only got a judging gig on “The X Factor” because of her looks.

In response, Simon Cowell told the Sunday Mirror:

“You see a grown-up Sharon behaving like this in public. I think it’s wrong. Certain things should be done behind closed doors – the limelight shouldn’t be taken from the contestants. I wish Sharon would ask my advice before she does things instead of trying to deal with it herself.

Sharon would be the first to admit that we’ve had a turbulent relationship over the last three or four years, but I’ve got to know her a lot better this year.

In regard to Dannii Minogue’s judging qualifications, Simon Cowell said:

“I was intrigued as to whether or not she could do the job. She’s done a ton of songs, movies, ‘Grease’ and ‘Home and Away’. That’s exactly the sort of experience you need to be a judge. And she’s worked harder with the artists than anyone else. She did 20-hour days.”