He wants the series won by Michelle McManus to be the last unless Cowell stays on.

The Westlife and Girls Aloud manager likened the 23-year-old to Jane McDonald, star of reality show The Cruise.

And the judge on Popstars: The Rivals could not resist a jibe about Michelle's 15-stone frame.

Glasgow girl Michelle topped the charts for three weeks with her debut single, All This Time.

But Walsh told radio network GWR: "I don't think she's going to do well. I think she's like the new Jane McDonald, just a larger version. She'll be good for cruise ships - big cruise ships.

"I don't know why she won but she did, and we have to give her her 15 minutes, but I don't see a long career."

Walsh was equally scathing about Mel C and Victoria Beckham saying "none of the ex-Spice Girls are going to sell records ever again".

His verdict on Rachel Stevens was "far too plastic, no long term career - I think she'll be dropped" and as for the career of ex-Neighbours star Holly Valance - "over...back to her soap opera in Australia".

The first show attracted 28.2 million viewers in the US - nearly two million up on the opening of the last series.

And Cowell is still crushing the pop hopefuls with his acid putdowns. He told one Kosovan wannabe: "Thank God you don't have to sing to get immigration status, otherwise you'd already be back home."

And after twin sisters showed off their lack of singing skills, he sneered: "What the hell was that? That was like double the torture. You need a lobotomy. That was painful."

Cowell also told a Bible-loving contestant: "You said you'd do your best with God on your side? I think he took the day off."

For this third series, Cowell has teamed up again with fellow judges Randy Jackson and Paula Abdul.

The first three episodes will be screened on ITV2 this Friday.

The soaking happened in the new series of the show - and Cowell had not even uttered a word.

The Glaswegian is tipped to top the charts tomorrow with her debut single All This Time.

Michelle, 23, said: "I snore both ways, in and out. It's absolutely terrible - I snore like a foghorn.

"It's so bad that I've actually lost boyfriends over it and I really, really need help."

Sleep expert Professor Neil Douglas said Michelle should diet to solve the problem, reports The Sun.

He explained: "Excess weight squashes the throat, making it more difficult to breathe."

The company denied reports that the official site had been temporarily closed down after abusive and offensive messages about the Glasgow pop star's weight were posted.

It claimed the site crashed as a result of technical difficulties caused by the volume of users on the chat forum.

Meanwhile Weight Watchers advised Michelle, from Ballieston, to use their website to help her juggle her weight loss with her busy new pop star schedule.

The international slimming club confirmed that they had written to Michelle before she scooped the Pop Idol title to wish her luck in the final.

A spokeswoman for Weight Watchers said: "Michelle attended our classes for a few months and did really well so we wrote to her congratulating her and wishing her all the best for the final."

She said she hoped Michelle would manage to stick to her new healthy diet when she goes on tour in March.

Waterman, who launched the career of Kylie Minogue and is now a Pop Idol judge, is backing two-piece violinists Duel.

The pair, Greg Scott, 24, and Craig Owen, 23, were busking in Manchester when they were spotted by Waterman.

"I saw a big crowd of people and I could hear the music," Pete said.

"Then I realised they were all young women and the guys playing were two good-looking young boys. So in some ways classical music is no different from pop. I thought what an interesting idea, two classical violinists.

"I was looking for something that sounded new that I could do something different with," Waterman said.

"I thought, these are the boys for me! That's fantastic."

He liked them so much he has now set them on the road to stardom. The duo soon signed a record deal with Decca and have played as support acts to Aled Jones and Michael Ball.

"What we wanted to do was to put ourselves in a 21st century group and think we were Wagner or Mozart," Waterman said.

"It's not about putting electronic sound to it, there are no drums or bass, it is organic classical music."

Greg, from Warrington, and Craig, originally from Guisborough, north Yorkshire, met at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester.

"It's an opportunity I never thought I would get," Craig said.

Greg added: "Pete wants to take the violin to people, because it's one of his favourite instruments, and it's a great melody instrument."

Duel's first album, also called Duel, is out next month.

The programme reaches its finale tomorrow with Michelle McManus and Mark Rhodes battling it out for the title.

But he told Classic FM this year's batch of wannabes had "blunted" the reputation of the show, which has become a worldwide phenomenon.

Waterman said: "When I started this show three years ago we tried to find great singers and great characters. It's become slightly 'freaks and geeks' and I think the Americans have sent us down the Jerry Springer Show route. I feel personally that that's a sad fact."

But he insists it will be a "great final".

"I don't want to take it away from either of the two kids. I just would have liked to have seen somebody with a lot more musical talent than the two that are there and that's not saying they don't have talent, but karaoke to me is karaoke and this show is called Pop Idol and I think we've slightly blunted the power of that brand.

"I think music seems to have gone slightly out of the window this year with the voting, which is a pity. It's very sad. It's made great television and I guess that's what it is - it's a television show but I'm a musician and I'm sort of disappointed."

The pair are currently touring the country visiting towns in an attempt to win more votes for Saturday night's final.

Mark admits that Michelle has been using some dirty tricks in order to win votes.

The 15 stone singer has recently lost three stone but says she doesn't want to lose any more weight.

She said: "I feel good about myself and I never get upset with my size. I have no intention of losing any more weight. It's not that I don't care about myself, but I'm happy the way I am.

"I think it is positive that people are voting for me because of my size. Although all women pop stars look good, people want something different, something to represent them."

Michelle was unhappy that she had been compared with Meat Loaf and said: "I don't think I look like Meat Loaf. He is not attractive. I think I'm attractive. I'm not the most stunning woman, but I'm not ugly."

Her dream is to duet with pop diva Christina Aguilera but says she doesn't share her dress sense: " I think she has got away with it but you won't be seeing me in leather chaps."

The 22-year-old was said to be furious when Fox said he should be "doing cabaret" and that it would be "very disappointing" if he won Pop Idol, says the Daily Mirror.

Mark, who was voted through to the final after Sam Nixon's shock exit, said: "Who's in the final? I am. It's one person's opinion and four million people voted out there so they must be seeing something different to what he is."

Rhodes added: "Who knows what is going on inside his head? I will definitely be having a word when I next see him. Who knows what is going on inside any of the judges' heads?

"Lots of the judges' comments last time were taken as gospel but not any more. People are making their own minds up and that's why me and Michelle are there. If it was up to the judges we wouldn't be," he said.

It's believed show producers would like to have Coronation Street's Rickitt and the EastEnders actor in their line-up.

Shane recently reached No2 in the charts with a charity version of Wham's I'm Your Man. Adam, who plays Nick Tilsley, has had two Top 20 hits. He quit pop when his third single peaked at No25 in 2000.

Pop Idol producer Richard Holloway said: "They top my wish list. I hope they will be allowed some time out of their filming commitments to appear."

Waterman said of Mark: "I actually felt sorry for him during his performance on Saturday because I didnıt realise he would be that far out of his depth.

The 17-year-old from Barnsley was voted out in favour of Mark Rhodes and Michelle McManus.

He said: "Of course there's a part of me that's gutted, its just bugging me that I didn't get to the final, but I'm not as upset as I thought I would be.

"It's weird because I wanted it so much. I've got mixed emotions. There's just that bit in my mind thinking I was so close."

But the teenager said he was "really chuffed" to have made it to the final three and still hopes to have a career in the music industry.

He said nobody had yet spoken to him about a record deal but that he took inspiration from former Pop Idol loser Darius, also place third, who has since gone on to be a successful performer.

Sam said that contrary to thinking Glaswegian Michelle had the wrong look to be a Pop Idol, he fancied her. "I think Michelle is stunning looking, I really do," Sam said.

"When we were doing the video she looked wicked. She's got the most infectious personality, she's really, really funny, quick and witty, and her voice is just outstanding."

Sam said he did not know whether Michelle or Mark would be triumphant, and refused to be drawn on who he would prefer to see take the crown. "They both deserve it, they really do," he said.

Sam, 17, from Barnsley had been widely expected to breeze through to next week's final and win the competition. But he missed out in last night's public vote.

Instead Glaswegian Michelle and outsider Mark Rhodes went through. The 22-year-old from Darlaston in the West Midlands burst into tears when he discovered he had reached the final.

Bookmakers Ladbrokes make former 33-1 shot Michelle the new favourite to win at 1-2, with Mark at 6-4. He was once put at 50-1.

Last week, all the judges predicted that Mark would be voted off but instead it was Chris Hide who failed the viewers' vote and left the competition. At the time Judge Pete Waterman said: "I was absolutely certain that Mark would go and now I just can't call it."

Michelle, 22, was also in tears when she heard that she had secured a place in the final. During last night's show, each contestant sang two songs chosen by the Pop Idol judges.

Michelle performed Say a Little Prayer and Without You, while Sam sang Maggie May and Always. Mark impressed viewers with his versions of Back for Good and If You Don't Know Me By Now.

Before leaving the show Sam thanked all those who had voted for him and added: "I have done myself proud." Earlier in the competition, judge Simon Cowell described the teenager as "one of the most naturally talented people" who had appeared before the panel.

Mark and Michelle will now spend the next week on separate whirlwind campaigns, touring the country on their own battle buses. All 12 Pop Idol finalists are bidding for the Christmas number one with a cover of the old John Lennon and Yoko Ono hit Happy Xmas (War Is Over).

Guitarist Andy Taylor said Pop Idol's Mr Nasty knew nothing about nurturing talent.

"If the world thinks Simon Cowell and Nicky Chapman are representative of people in the music industry, they're wrong," he said of the Pop Idol judges.

"Simon Cowell is the guy that discovered Sinitta. I rest my case. It's a joke."

Taylor said Gareth Gates could have been the next George Michael if the right people had looked after his career.

"I don't have anything bad to say about the artists on these shows, because it's not their fault.

"But Gareth Gates probably could have been George Michael if he had been handled properly," Taylor said.

"He's got a good voice and a great look. But what do they do? They make him sing Unchained Melody. It's not a good thing."

Duran Duran have just announced their first UK tour in 18 years, with dates in London, Glasgow, Manchester and Birmingham next April.

They are currently supporting Robbie Williams on his Australian tour.

The comedy actor says he despairs of reality TV.

"The problem with Pop Idol is that it's funny to see these people thinking they have what it takes, but then it hits you that these people are very probably bordering on the mentally ill," he told Jack magazine.

"It's like when you see some D-list celebrity on some show doing some embarrassing thing just to be on TV. Sometimes I have to get up and leave the room. It can never be that bad that people should want to be on TV for no real reason, surely?"

The last episodes of The Office go out this Christmas and Gervais said he is looking forward to disappearing from television screens for a while.

"I don't care if I'm not on TV. In fact it's brilliant. I can go shopping for socks again, even though I keep getting recognised. I just want it to be right. There is no rush to be back on TV," he said.

The nationwide Pop Idol Live tour is set to feature all 12 finalists from the ITV1 series.

Dates confirmed are:

Continued support for Sam has seen bookmakers reduce his odds on winning Pop Idol cut from 4/7 to 1/3 on.

Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush said: "Sam is running away with it, he's the red hot favourite to land the recording contract.

"At this stage last year it was a two horse race between Will Young and Gareth Gates but bookmakers are resigned to it being a one horse race as money continues to pour in for Sam."

Michelle is now the distant 5/1 second favourite with Mark the overwhelming favourite to be evicted on Saturday. He's now a distant 8/1 to win the show.

Music station The Box, whose playlist is dictated by viewer votes, says the TV show's single cover of John Lennon's Happy Xmas (War Is Over) is way out in front.

The track by the Pop Idol 12 is also the bookies favourite to clinch the festive top spot.

Avid Merrion's novelty single Proper Chrimbo is the next most popular Christmas release, according to the station.

One track thought to be a hot contender for the seasonal chart is rock act The Darkness's Christmas Time (Don't Let The Bells End). However according to The Box, the track is way down its most requested list, although it does tend to attract more pop fans.

A spokeswoman for The Box said: "We play singles up to five weeks before release and our chart is usually a hot predictor of how singles will fare chart once they hit the shops."

Industry pundits are also tipping Michael Andrew and Gary Jules's cover of the Tears For Fears song Mad World as a dark horse.

The song from cult movie Donnie Darko, to be released the week before Christmas, has had strong radio play from many stations.

Robson helped Cowell in 1995 when he and Jerome Flynn hit No1 with Unchained Melody.

But now he is accusing Cowell and Pop Idol creator Simon Fuller of using Pop Idol hopefuls to boost their own bank accounts. And he said would-be stars should realise their contracts mean their earning power is next to nothing.

The adult television channel wanted her to pose for adverts in basque and suspenders.

But the 21-year-old from Reading, Berkshire, said: "Believe me, you don't want to see me like that."

Susanne was voted out of the show last Saturday.

Ladbrokes make Sam 1/2, in from 4/6, to win the show ahead of closest rival Michelle whose odds have gone out from 11/4 to 4/1.

Chris remains at 9/2 to win the show and Mark is the rank outsider and favourite to go this week at 10/1.

Two weeks ago Simon Cowell said that if he "had a couple of quid," he would put it on Sam to triumph but Ladbrokes say he still hasn't placed a bet.

Ladbrokes spokesman Warren Lush said: " We're sure that Simon Cowell can spare a couple of quid but we still haven't seen the colour of his money.

"As every day passes Cowell's return gets smaller as Sam becomes an even hotter favourite to win.

"We extend an invitation to Simon Cowell to put his money where his mouth is and will ensure that he has more than a couple of quid on. We'll give him £500 and donate the stake and any winnings to his favourite charity."

"The result bookmakers dread is a win for Mark, who was a 50/1 shot early in the competition, while support for early favourite Michelle has dried up."

Susanne was voted off the programme at the weekend leaving just four contestants, Chris, Mark, Sam and Michelle.

Her rendition of Cry Me A River wasn't good enough to keep her in the competition.

After the show, she told Radio One she was "shocked and upset" about being accused of picking on Michelle because she herself weighed 14 stone when she was 14.

Susanne said: "My phone went and it was one of the journalists and she went: "Have you heard about this?" and I was like: "Flippin heck, where did that come from?" And it was really hard.

"The things I apparently said to Michelle are things that I had said to me when I was at school. I was bullied for flipping five years.

"I had no friends because I was overweight. So it was just like: "If you knew me, you'd know that wasn't true"."

It follows reports that the 25-year-old was seen leaving his West London home one morning earlier this month.

His manager Paul Worsley has confirmed the split but said the couple, who met when they were both teenage actors on Byker Grove, are still friends.

He added: "The fact is that Dec and Clare are giving each other a wee bit of space at the moment. But they remain firm friends and always will be."

Donnelly has split from Buckfield before. Mr Worsley said this time it is for good, reports the Daily Mirror.

The couple are too upset to talk but Mr Worsley, speaking from their home in Kew, West London, said the separation is amicable. "I want to set the record straight that that's the situation, and make it clear there's absolutely nobody else involved."

He added: "To be honest, they are absolutely fine. Clare came to Ant's 28th birthday party the other day and they will continue to remain friends."

Buckfield, 27, who played daughter Jenny Porter in sitcom 2 Point 4 Children, is thought to be staying with relatives.

Fox says he doesn't think that Waterman will go to the US to become a judge on their Pop Idol show.

"Pete is kidding himself if he thinks he's going to make it in America. He's in a time warp," he said.

"Simon's already there and they don't need another one, he is unique. Pete is dead jealous of all of his success over there and I'm sure he thinks it should be him," added Fox.

He also had a go at Waterman for constantly changing his mind on the show, reports the Daily Mirror.

"Pete is totally inconsistent. In the morning he'll say something is white and by the evening he'll swear it's black. He's all over the place," added the DJ.

Fox says he thinks Sam Nixon will win Pop Idol and added he didn't think Michelle has what it takes.

He said: "I think Sam's young and cute and the girls like him. Even if Michelle does win, she won't be around for long. It'll just be a flash in the pan."

A spokesman for the show said: "There is no spat."

The 21-year-old from Darlaston, says: "I just wasn't expecting it. I did an interview for regional TV and around 100 people crowded round me asking for my autograph. I actually found it quite frightening.

"The trouble is, you don't know who means well and who doesn't. While I was shopping, I had a few people shout things like 'You're rubbish' and although it didn't upset me, it did worry me a bit. So far, there hasn't been any real aggro and I hope it stays that way.

"I'm not complaining though. This is what I wanted and now I've got it. Iım still very flattered when somebody asks for my autograph and I make a point of signing every single one."

They reckon Susanne, 21, will be perfect as the adult channel's first Reality TV centrefold.

She would appear in a saucy Moulin Rouge-style basque and suspenders in a series of advertising campaigns, trailers and programme links. Playboy bosses want to snap her up as soon as Pop Idol ends.

Her husky voice and curvy figure have made her a hit with male viewers.

"Susanne is sexy, warm and, as her weekly performances show, a natural exhibitionist," said Playboy TV marketing director Richard Gale.

"Her dulcet tones and curvaceous figure single her out from the other Pop Idol contestants and make her the perfect candidate for our Reality TV Centrefold series. We want to turn her from a Pop Idol into a very hot idol."

Susanne, from Reading, is said to be feuding with fellow Pop Idol contestant Michelle McManus.

Competition in the ITV1 reality show is hotting up and this Saturday the five remaining hopefuls will sing songs from the big band era. The other contestants are Sam Nixon, from Barnsley; Mark Rhodes, from Darlaston in the West Midlands; and Chris Hide, from Lancing, West Sussex.

The Pop Idol judge spoke out after a series of damaging stories appeared in the press about the 21-year-old singer.

One claimed she had called fellow contestant Michelle McManus a "fat cow".

Waterman said: "I think there may be a campaign against Susanne. I saw a story about Susanne wanting bodyguards and I thought 'Mmm - somebody is trying to put about bad stories for political reasons'"

He added: "I see Susanne every Saturday night. I've talked to her and I don't see that kind of girl but I'm seeing all these negative stories.

"I'm sorry I'm cynical. I put two and two together and somebody wants out."

But Waterman said the public won't be fooled by attempts to influence who they vote for, reports the Daily Mirror.

He has described finalist Chris as brilliant, but added he doesn't know or care who will win Pop Idol.

The record producer reckons her weight will stop her selling as many records as the other pop wannabes.

It's reported their arguments have caused friction in the Pop Idol house.

The Daily Mirrorsays Susanne feels the Glasgow girl is a big threat to her winning the ITV1 competition and refuses to be pictured next to her.

Roxanne Cooper, who was eliminated on Saturday night, confirmed the pair are not getting on. "Michelle and Susanne don't get on that well. It's difficult living in the house all together," she said.

The paper quotes an insider saying: "Susanne is beginning to rub people up the wrong way. She acts al innocent and clueless on the show but she's playing a very clever game."