Dannii Minogue

Dannii Minogue

Dannii Minogue was "hurt" by her affair with Simon Cowell.

The 'X Factor' Australia judge - who had a secret romance with the music mogul when the pair worked together on the UK version of the TV talent show - insisted the star isn't a "bad" man but admitted the revelation of their fling left her confused.

She told The Sun newspaper: "When the hell is there to say? Fact - or fiction? That's all I'm saying. I don't understand any of it. It's his thing, his issue.

"He's been amazing and taught me so much. I have so much to be thankful to him for.

"But sometimes your friends can hurt you. I don't think he's bad. I just think he's batty as anything."

The pair's relationship was damaged by the revelation - made last year in Tom Bower's tell-all book - but now Dannii is a new addition to the judging panel on the Australian version of one of Simon's flagship shows.

However, the outspoken star has admitted she thinks rival Sharon Osbourne's return to 'The X Factor' UK is a gamble.

She said: "I'm sure Louis will have fun with Sharon back on the panel. I don't hate her and I do wish her all the best.

"But if I saw her, I'd walk the other way. I have no desire to be in a room with that woman ever, ever again.

"Was Sharon a good signing? I'm not getting into that. That's for the audience to decide. The ratings will tell."

Dannii, 41, conceded although he was taking a big risk, the 53-year-old star has always been "ballsy" with the important decisions.

She added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "[Sharon returning is] risky ... [But] Simon has always been ballsy to make those kind of decisions."