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Gary Barlow 'sorry' for remark to Tulisa

Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos.
Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos. Credit: PA

X Factor judges Gary Barlow and Tulisa Contostavlos were locked in peace talks on Saturday night after he accused the N-Dubz star of having "fag-ash breath" in front of millions of viewers.

Barlow has said sorry for the comment he made on Saturday night's ITV1 programme as show insiders revealed the pair spent time alone in a dressing room discussing their spat after filming ended.

A show source said: "They were locked in a dressing room for peace talks after the show; just the two of them. Gary apologised a lot. Tulisa was angry but eventually she accepted his apology.

"Gary feels really, really bad about what he said. It was speaking without thinking in the spur of the moment and he didn't mean it."

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'Very proud' Barlow has no plans to return OBE

Gary Barlow
Gary Barlow was awarded an OBE after arranging the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Gary Barlow has said he has no plans to return his OBE following calls for him to return the honour in the wake of claims he used an "aggressive tax avoidance" scheme.

Asked if he will hand it back, he said: "I'm very proud to have it. Very proud."

The Take That star and X-Factor judge is attending a reception at Buckingham Palace tonight hosted by the Queen to thank those involved in the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Gary Barlow solo tour to kick off in November

Gary Barlow is planning his first solo tour for 13 years with a string of dates beginning next month.

The Take That star has announced 16 shows, which he will fit around his X Factor commitments.

X Factor judge Gary Barlow to take part a solo tour later this year. Credit: Press Association

Gary said: "Playing live is my favourite thing. Last year playing two London shows was brilliant - we all had such a good time - so I thought right let's get out and see the rest of the country."

The tour will begin at the Bournemouth International Centre on November 13.

The shows - which include performances at the Manchester Apollo and the city's Bridgewater Hall - will wind up at The Waterfront in Belfast on January 8. Tickets go on sale on Friday. Visit www.garybarlow.com for more details.

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'I've been there,' Cole tells X Factor hopefuls

Cheryl Cole and Gary Barlow
Cole agreed to a temporary comeback alongside Barlow at a country pile in Northamptonshire. Credit: Ken McKay/PA Wire

Cheryl Cole - who was given her big break on TV talent show Popstars: The Rivals - will tell the X Factor hopefuls she can sympathise because she has been in their position.

The Girls Aloud star says: "I've been there and I have been here so I know how you are all feeling, I am just excited to see what you have got. [I] think it's going to be amazing and I wish you the best of luck from the bottom of my heart."

Other guest mentors include Tinie Tempah, who teams up with Tulisa Contostavlos, Ne-Yo who accompanies Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne who is the sidekick to Louis Walsh.

Ex-judge Cheryl Cole to make X Factor return tonight

Cheryl Cole and Gary Barlow
Cheryl Cole teamed up with Take That star Gary Barlow in her mentor role. Credit: Ken McKay/PA Wire

Former X Factor judge Cheryl Cole will be back on the show tonight, almost two years after her departure.

Cole will return as a guest mentor, helping Gary Barlow put his acts from the older "overs" category through their paces during the judges' houses stage of the ITV1 talent show.

She bowed out from the UK X Factor after the 2010 series to take up a short-lived place on the panel for the US version of the show.

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