Dannii Minogue has said that acting as a mentor on 'The X Factor' is "addictive".

According to The National Newspaper, the Australian singer said: "I like the mentoring and the working with the artists that you're given."

"Having performed and knowing how nervous they are, you feel really protective about them."

"I want to make sure I've done my best so they can get out there and enjoy it, and maybe win. They want it so much, you can see it in their eyes."

Speaking about her future on the show, Minogue said: "I would like to go on. It gets addictive."

"I'm not competitive for myself but I get so involved and protective of the contestants that I want to make sure they are looked after - they're like my babies. It's the first time I had that kind of feeling about something."

The line-up for this year's judging panel on 'The X Factor' has not yet been officially confirmed, although Louis Walsh has previously said that he believes all of last year's mentors will be returning to the show.

RTE