The former Frasier star was due to be interviewed by Piers Morgan for CNN's Piers Morgan Tonight but became so uncomfortable after seeing a photograph of his ex Camille Grammer that he absconded from the building before filming began.

Piers posted on twitter: "Kelsey Grammer was supposed to be on my show now but ran out of the building. Strange. #CNN... So, Kelsey Grammer saw a photo of his ex wife Camille in the open to our show and legged it. Extraordinary. Never had this happen before. I had a very friendly chat with Kelsey backstage, He said he was really looking forward to the interview. Weird. #CNN (sic)."

Then Simon Cowell just had to get himself involved, by responding "I know how he feels". Piers then as instructed brought the X Factor into things: "I suspect Kelsey was watching X Factor in the green room and suddenly felt nauseous."

However, when the music mogul offered to intervene, tweeting "if he was watching x factor he wouldn't have done a runner. Do you want me to call him for you?', the chat show host was quick to respond 'Yes please'.

D'you know what? Kelsey Grammer was never in the building to begin with, it was all just a ruse for Simon and Piers to tweet about the X Factor (which, funnily enough, is on TV3 tonight from 8.30pm. Britney Spears isn't quite as dead as I thought she'd be).

57-year-old Grammer has previously launched a number of verbal attacks against Camille - with whom he has two children, 10-year-old daughter Mason, and seven-year-old son Jude - recently, saying their marriage was over almost as soon as it began and he only stayed with her out of obligation. Himself and Brian McFadden should hook up for a chat.