DANNII & COWELL X AND MAKE UP; His call ends Lucie row.

Byline: MARK JEFFERIES

SIMON Cowell has swallowed his pride and rung Dannii Minogue to patch up their latest row.

The X Factor judges didn't speak after Simon chose to take the vote to deadlock on Sunday's show.

His tactics saw Dannii's act Lucie Jones leave and controversial twins John and Edward survive.

Afterwards on The Xtra Factor they avoided eye contact and an icy Dannii said: "I am shocked for everyone who is a real singer in this competition."

They left without speaking, but Simon, 50, was determined that their latest bust-up wouldn't ruin things. Dannii, 38, soothed by his call said on Twitter: "There's no truth that Simon and I are not speaking."

But she also told a friend: "Simon better not mess me about again. I think he's got the message."

And we can reveal Simon actually called Dannii on Tuesday.

A source said: "He stopped short of apologising for his decision but made it clear he didn't mean to upset Dannii. They parted on good terms."

In a further bonus Dannii was named Cosmopolitan's Ultimate TV Personality of 2009 in a London ceremony last night.

Wearing a stunning black dress, she credited boyfriend Kris Smith, saying: "When you're having a good time at work and in your love life, it shows."

And Dannii wasn't the only X Factor celeb to get a boost. The Jedward twins got a huge cheer as they watched the Backstreet Boys at the O2 on Tuesday.

pounds 45M

SIMON Cowell has been named the highest-paid man on US TV with estimated earnings of pounds 45m last year.

He collected the salary for his work as a judge on American Idol and as creator of America's Got Talent.

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BLACK BEAUT Dannii's a knockout in her dress at the awards