X Factor sexed up

The X Factor girl bands are nothing if not cynical. Far from being idealistic popstar wannabes, they seem to know what it is that will make their reco

12:37 03 October 2005

The X Factor girl bands are nothing if not cynical. Far from being idealistic popstar wannabes, they seem to know what it is that will make their records sell.

When The Conways, Eskimo Blonde and Addictiv Ladies, three all-female groups that feature on ITV's reality talent contest, found out they would be going to Simon Cowell's villa in Malaga, they embarked on a terrifying 'health and fitness' course in a bid to sex up their images.

While in Spain, Cowell will choose who he wants to go through to the X Factor final, and the girls know that the high-trousered one will be swayed by their appearance.

So they all promptly went on crash diets and intense workouts at the gym.

An X Factor mole said: "When the girls heard Simon's bands would be going to Malaga for the crucial last stages of the contest they decided the best weapon against boyband rivals was sex appeal.

"Simon knows sex helps sell records and what better way to impress him than showing him they have the sex factor."

The three girl bands are up against four other groups, and four of Cowell's seven protegees will go through to the final.