Look away now, Simon! The X Factor's glossy new recruit Nicole Scherzinger snogs her American Idol rival Steve Tyler

By Amelia Proud

Last updated at 8:52 AM on 25th September 2011

Much has been made of the rivalry between the hugely popular American Idol and the recently launched X Factor USA.

But if it really is pithy observations at dawn, 63-year-old Steve Tyler and Nicole Scherzinger, 33 , haven't got the memo.

The pair looked very friendly at the second leg of the iHeartRadio festival at Las Vegas's MGM Grand tonight as they jumped on stage to sing together, where the rest of the Idol judging team, Randy Jackson, 55, and Jennifer Lopez, 42, also appeared.

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Truce: American Idol judge Steve Tyler puckers up to his X Factor rival, Nicole Scherzinger, at the iHeartRadio Music Festival in Vegas tonight

But that's not all they did, as the legendary rocker - looking much younger than his actual age in black jeans, vest and waistcoat - puckered up to the stunning Pussycat Doll.

It's not hard to see why, the latest glossy acquisition to Simon Cowell's juggernaut of success was an incredible vision in a figure-hugging silver dress.

Making sweet music: Tyler and Scherzinger rock out for the delighted Vegas crowd

Close: The Aerosmith frontman holds Lewis's girl

But although it was quite the full on kiss, there is no suggestion of romance between this impossibly attractive pair.

Steve is dating girlfriend Erin Brady, and Nicole is happily tied to F1 champion and proud Brit, Lewis Hamilton.

Beware, false idols: Randy Jackson also got into the act, and back to doing what he knows and loves best

Nearing their pension: Steve and Sting dazzle the excited crowd

But you'd have to assume that Mr Cowell, 51 , might baulk a little at Nicole's openly affectionate dealings with the man who replaced him so capably on American Idol.

Especially as she - in turn - took the chair of his dear, loyal Cheryl Cole.

Lady in Red: Jennifer Lopez indulged in a high-octane routine with suited backing dancers

Hitting the high notes: Jennifer wows the crowd as she belts out a song

Cheeky! Jennifer's feathered dress reveals a little more than she expected to her backing group and dancers

But we all know that it's entertainment first for the Syco genius, and if there's anyone who understands putting on a show, it's him.
Or Ryan Seacrest, who declared as the event kicked off yesterday: 'This is the biggest live music event in radio history.'

Get your motor running: Lady Gaga appeared on stage sitting on top of what looked like a chair made out of car and motorbike parts

Mind you don't get that caught! Gaga sang to the crowd as she peered out from beneath a huge tasseled hat

Held at the Grand Garden Arena, which has a capacity of 17,000, there was no denying the scale.

Gaga-lite: Minaj was unconventional in her routine, but we've seen it all before

The kooky and the classy: While Minaj wore an eclectic outfit which was teamed with a pair of wellington boots, Gaga ditched her usual unconventional style for a more sophisticated look

Last night featured performances from the Black Eyed Peas, Jay Z, Alicia Keys, Coldplay, Jane's Addiction and Bruno Mars.

And tonight's roll-call was peppered with big stars, cult stars and HUGE stars.

Back to Black: Twilight star Ashley Greene and Natasha Bedingfield kept it simple

Smart and sexy: Host Ryan Seacrest and Iraq war hero J.R Martinez looked very dapper in their attire

Idol's Randy Jackson also got in on the act, and seemed to relish getting back to his roots - albeit in a none rocker shirt featuring colourful hippo motifs.