Kelly Rowland At War With The X Factor Judges

The friendship between The X Factor judges Kelly Rowland and Gary Barlow is on ice until the show is over.

It's pistols at dawn on The X Factor as the judges forget personal relationships and concentrate on winning the competition for their category. "It's war," declared Gary, speaking in Los Angeles. "But that's fair enough. I'm confident I have the winner."

As boot camp came to a close last weekend, the judges found out which categories they would be mentoring, with Kelly taking hot favourites the girls and Gary the boys. "I got on well with Kelly," Gary continued, "But the texts have stopped now she has the girls."

Although the competition is expected to come down to a straight fight between the girls and boys, Gary warns, "Don't rule out Tulisa. The bands couldn't get a better mentor." Support for Louis and the over-25s is rather less obvious.

The X Factor moves on to the judges' houses this weekend when Kelly will be joined by Jennifer Hudson and Gary by Robbie Williams.