Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow (pic: rex)

Louis Walsh and Gary Barlow (pic: rex)

RAGING Gary Barlow stormed off the X Factor set this weekend because he thinks Louis Walsh is turning the show into a joke.

The angry pair argued on Saturday night's live programme and insiders have revealed the sparks continued to fly when the cameras stopped rolling.

Sources say Take That star Gary, 40, has lost all respect for rival judge Louis, 59, and they are no longer on speaking terms off air.

A backstage insider said: "Gary was livid after the show.

"He stormed away from his seat the second the programme finished and locked himself in his dressing room.

"Gary slammed the door behind him and really erupted.

"He was fuming and made it clear he didn't want to join the other judges for their usual drink and chat about the show. Gary had been determined to keep his dignity on screen and refused to be drawn into a full row on air.

"He is worried the constant sniping between the judges is distracting viewers from the contestants.

"Gary is desperate to turn the series back into a serious competition. He feels Louis is not up to the job and is turning the contest into a ridiculous pantomime."

The two judges began bickering on Saturday's programme after Louis slammed the performance of Gary's act Frankie Cocozza, 19.

Louis said: "It was very bad karaoke. You are not a rock star and you never will be. The only big thing about you is your hair." Furious Gary swiftly told Louis: "Get back in your cage."

They were reduced to yelling "shut up" at each other across the desk in a spat that came after the two other judges, Tulisa, 23, and Kelly Rowland, 30, finally made peace after weeks of backstage feuding. The insider said: "It's a role reversal. Kelly and Tulisa have made up and Gary and Louis are instantly at war."

Despite Frankie being favourite for the axe, camp singer Johnny Robinson, 45, and boy band The Risk were booted off the ITV show last night.

Favourites The Risk were ­automatically sent home after polling the fewest public votes, leaving raunchy Kitty Brucknell, 26, and Johnny to sing for survival.

The judges unanimously voted to send Johnny home. With mentor Louis choking back tears, Johnny graciously said: "I'd really like to say a big thank you to everyone out there who accepted me for being myself."

Kitty left the stage in tears after surviving the vote.

A source said: "She was inconsolable. She feels terrible Johnny had to go and the strain of being in the sing-off again has taken its toll on her."