Cowell insults Dixon at BGT auditions

Alesha Dixon found herself on the receiving end of Simon Cowell's acid tongue after he insulted her during the latest round of Britain's Got Talent auditions.

The judge once nicknamed Mr Nasty shocked the crowd at the Birmingham try-outs after taking aim at the former Mis-Teeq star over a row about a dance act.

Dixon praised the troupe Lil' Diamondz, who won Alesha's Street Dance Stars competition on CBBC in September, after their performance onstage.

She told the group of dancers they had done her proud and "hadn't let her down", prompting Cowell to rant, "What a silly comment to make. That's a silly thing to say, Alesha."

He then cackled, "Sorry, who are you, anyway?" causing the 4,000-strong audience to boo and gasp.

A source tells The Mirror, "Alesha obviously felt slighted. Everybody could tell because she clammed up and looked really embarrassed.

"Simon was reclining in his usual manner and didn't seem bothered that he had just caused so much upset.

"Alesha was determined not to cause a scene in front of the audience but she really let rip behind closed doors. It was humiliating for Alesha that Simon suggested she is a nobody."

Dixon quit her position on the Strictly Come Dancing panel to star on BGT.