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Robbie Williams is set to appear on this weekend's X Factor show and has been showering praise on controversial contestant Rylan Clark - much to the annoyance of his former Take That bandmate, Gary Barlow.
Robbie is one of the special guests on this Sunday's show, where he is expected to perform new single 'Candy' to the millions of talent show viewers. However, tensions are said to be high between Robbie and Gary - who both have very different opinions on the Essex singer.
Xtra Factor host Caroline Flack tells ITN: "I know that Robbie Williams is on the show on Sunday and I know he has been visiting the X Factor contestants already.
"Robbie is the biggest Rylan fan. He absolutely adores Rylan. He says that being in the show is all about being an entertainer, whereas Gary doesn't want that this year.
"I quite like the way there is a little bit of rivalry going on between them again."
Robbie joined Gary in 2011 to select his X Factor artists
Gary and Robbie reconciled their boyband differences in 2010 when Robbie returned to Take That, but could one talent show contestant put the male stars at odds once again?
The 2012 series is thought to be Barlow's last as an X Factor judge, as he revealed plans to return to his boyband roots next year, with a new Take That album and huge tour planned - which is sure to clash with any talent show commitments.
Barlow's run on the 2012 series has been less than successful, losing two contestants in the first three weeks of the show - and coming close to losing a fourth when singer Kye Sones placed in the bottom two on the show.
Watch Robbie Williams' new single 'Candy' below
Photos: Robbie Williams performs with naked woman on X Factor
