Sharon seeks sex factor

Fans of ITV's cruel reality TV talent contest X Factor will be treated to the sight of Sharon Osbourne speed-dating wannabe popstars.

14:45 30 September 2005

Fans of ITV's cruel reality TV talent contest X Factor will be treated to the sight of Sharon Osbourne speed-dating wannabe popstars.

In a novel twist, the only female judge on the show will go on three-minute dates with 14 of her favourite over-25s, in a bid to work out how much sex appeal they have.

An X Factor mole told the Daily Star: "Sharon came up with this novel way of choosing who she thought deserved to be in the final stages.

"She thought that by having speed dates with the singers, it would help her measure who had sizzling sex appeal - which these days is vital in the record industry."

One of the contestants may receive quite a lot of attention from Ozzy's wife.

"She did have a twinkle in her eye whenever she met up with cheeky hunk Chico [Slimani, 27] - he is a dead cert for the final," the insider said.

Tomorrow night's show is a double bill, and the three judges will decide who should go through to the final stages of the show.