Simon Cowell has deliberately created tension between the 'X Factor' judges.
It is said this year's panel - completed by Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Mel B - is already strained, and it has been orchestrated by the media mogul.
An insider on the show's production team told The Sun newspaper: "So far the atmosphere has not been great to say the least.
"The only person who gets on with everyone is Simon but it's as if he is deliberately letting the fires build by being late and making everyone grumpy.
"Pretty much every single member of the panel - apart from Simon - clearly didn't want the other judges chosen for this year's show ... The theory is that his plan is to create havoc on the judging panel."
'X Factor' boss Simon Cowell said to have brought together a judging panel full of tension to make the show more interestingAccording to reports, the explosive panel has been put together to instill a sense of drama into the show, which "has started to run its course".
The source added: "[Simon's] the first to admit the show has started to run its course and it's harder to get viewers to engage with the acts.
"However, what does work are fights between the judges. He knows what he is doing. He loves being the master puppeteer."
Tagged in Cheryl Cole Louis Walsh Mel B Simon Cowell