Telly Talk: Some saw red while others wore yellow as this weekend’s Saturday night showdown saw clashes, car crashes and chopped crops in a weekend of frenetic controversy.

And in the middle of it all yet another insider revealed that Simon Cowell was fuming.

A source claimed Cheryl was “only defending herself” as all these so-called anonymous people in-the-know seemed to be tripping over themselves to dish the dirt.

Is it just me or does anyone get the impression Simon loves his staff and his stars to be more than a little indiscreet?

Cheryl certainly was as she declared war on Wagner after his comments to a newspaper about her council estate start in life. Now hasn’t the poor girl spent enough on hair extensions and shoes to prove she’s left all that behind her – maybe not as the fishwife took hold on Saturday night for her latest outburst.

Simon is said to be furious with her for taking on a contestant on national television and not saving the tirade for backstage but he was grinning from ear-to-ear on Saturday night and again last night as the twists and turns kept coming.

Wagner made it through for another week as did controversial Katie Waissel largely due to the drastic hair makeover – a little too obviously Emma Watson for my liking in a week when it was all about the new Harry Potter film.

So it was Cher Lloyd’s turn to be the most unpopular girl in school as she found herself going to head-to-head with Paije Richardson to cling on to her place. There was never any doubt the judges were going to send Paije home as he’s no fun for the headline makers, now is he?

Gracious in defeat he almost didn’t belong in this show.

Remaining gracious in victory is dear old Ann Widdecombe. Now I am Widdy’s biggest fan, even in canary yellow. The lady has guts, determination and it seems no breaking point for being flung in an undignified fashion across the dance floor. And I mean breaking point in so many ways.

But I did wonder if her vivid yellow style-statement was going to be dimmed somewhat and cast in a shadow by the red light of doom reserved for those dancers in the bottom two. I do think she has done what she set out to do – had fun. And lots of it. But there comes a time when the joke in no longer funny. Bascially when it has been told one time too many. I think that time may be coming for Ann and Anton.

It was Felicity and Gavin’s turn last night, with Felicity eventually given her marching orders. While I love Ann’s direct and honest approach, the perfect antidote to the calamity and car crash television that is the X-Factor, surely – soon – enough will be enough.