Dirty Tricks Campaign

X FACTOR fave Rachel Hylton is at the centre of a dirty tricks campaign – after claims that she leaked the names of the show’s finalists.

TV bosses were horrified to see a website – claiming to belong to the reformed crack addict – naming all 12 acts picked for this year’s finals.Producers had been trying to keep the identities of the singers and bands top secret until they are officially unveiled next weekend.But show boss Simon Cowell, 48, was left gobsmacked when the site – www.rachelhylton.org.uk – completely ruined their plan and named them all correctly. It read: “X Factor 2008 – Final 12 Contestants. If you do not want to know the final 12 for the live shows, then click here now and see the Top 10 Toys for Christmas instead!”Anyone who clicked on the icon yesterday morning was taken straight to a page showing the judges’ picks.When X Factor chiefs found out about the leak, they leapt into action with their legal team. The people behind the website were then forced to remove the list of names.Now a new message reads: “We’ve had a change of heart and have decided NOT to publish the names.”X Factor bosses also stress that ex druggie and mum of five Rachel had nothing to do with the stunt.A spokesman said: “Rachel was not aware of the site and she was not involved.” But producers fear there may be a campaign of dirty tricks to try to ruin the gobby 26-year-old’s chances of winning the show.A source said: “It seems odd that a site was set up without her blessing which looks like it’s the real deal. Is it a dirty tricks campaign to smear her?”