Scherzinger: I had death threats

Nicole Scherzinger has revealed how death threats once left her hiding in her hotel room.

The former Pussycat Doll singer admitted she could relate to her X Factor act Rylan Clark, who has also received internet rants threatening his life, after she was on the receiving end herself during her appearance on The X Factor USA.

"It breaks my heart. Last year I had death threats on X Factor USA. That kind of ruined me. I didn't want to leave my hotel room," she told The Sun.

"It really frightened and scared me when I got death threats so it upset me to hear Rylan had to go through that pain. I didn't know that people could conjure up such thoughts - so hateful."

Nicole laughed off fellow X Factor judge Gary Barlow's comments that he will be "very honest" about Rylan's debut on the live shows, which begin on ITV1 on October 6.

"I had to deal with Simon Cowell last year. So Gary ain't nothing but a chicken wing," she joked.

The 34-year-old, who is dating Formula 1 ace Lewis Hamilton, also said she plans to be less of a pussycat this season and shed less tears on screen.

"I am a little tougher this year - to succeed and be resilient in this industry, you must be," she added.