Kelly Rowland storms out of X Factor

Kelly Rowland stormed out of 'X Factor' auditions when a girl group were axed - in a bid to allow a member to retry as a solo act.

The former Destiny's Child singer walked out after band Twisted were rejected by the judges, and she only returned when they agreed to let Chrissie Pitt, who had dominated the band's performance with her powerful voice, return to audition again following a heart-to-heart backstage chat.

Kelly - who sits alongside Gary Barlow, Tulisa Contostavlos and Louis Walsh on the panel - told Chrissie: "What are you doing with these doo-wop singers? You don't need them, you're a stand-alone singer. You have such a good, powerful and melodic voice."

The 30-year-old star spent nearly 30 minutes talking to Chrissie - who was ditched at the boot camp stage of the ITV1 singing competition last year - and has now vowed to make the 26-year-old brunette her protege after she was put through by the panel as a solo artist.

An insider told The Sun newspaper: "Chrissie was crying about leaving the other girls behind but Kelly persuaded her to audition by herself.

"Chrissie's so grateful to Kelly. Her former bandmates are still finding it hard to support her but she hopes they'll come around."