Wellington, Aug 21 : Danni Minogue ran from the set of British TV talent show 'The X Factor' in terror after being threatened by an outraged contestant and his family.

Danni, the sister of pop star Kylie Minogue, had been judging performers in a round of auditions for the show when she used her casing vote to stop a male singer from going through to the next round.

The contestant was not only incensed but so was his family who confronted Minogue and then tried to corner her.

"I had to dive for cover when one guy, who we didn't want to put through when he auditioned, brought his entire family in," The NZPA quoted Danni, as telling Scotland's Daily Record newspaper.

"I'd had the deciding vote and had turned him down, so he didn't like me much. I was petrified," she added.

Danni only felt safe enough to return after fellow judge Simon Cowell agreed to lend her his hefty bodyguard, Tony.

"I hid near Tony. If I feel frightened, I'll always run to him. Tony's a friendly giant, but I wouldn't mess with him at all - he has a dark side," Danni said.

ANI