'She looked a bit bewildered': Simon Cowell comes clean about Cheryl's shock X Factor exit

By Georgina Littlejohn


Taking responsibility: Simon Cowell talks about Cheryl Cole's exit from the US X Factor as he appeared on Piers Morgan's CNN show


She was unceremoniously dropped as a judge on the US X Factor with Simon Cowell saying she looked 'uncomfortable' on the panel.

A point he reiterated to Piers Morgan who asked the music mogul what exactly had happened with Cheryl Cole.

But Nicole Scherzinger, who replaced the Girls Aloud stars on the panel, wouldn't get drawn in to her thoughts on her departure.


During the interview on his CNN show, Morgan told Cowell that he knew Cheryl well but was unsure what had exactly gone down before her exit from the show.

Cowell said: 'I was talking to someone about this at the screening the other night and they put it very well - she looked a bit bewildered.

'Not everyone's like you Piers. You come to a country like America, it's a bit deal, takes a while to adjust.

Did you feel bad for her? Morgan asked Cowell if he felt for Cheryl after her departure

Of course I felt bad: Cowell said Cheryl's departure had been very public


'And I took the view, along with a few other people, that she would have been more comfortable back in the UK.'

And he said her did feel bad for her and what happened and took full responsibility for the situation.

'I didn't get to work with her that much': Nicole talked about how she felt getting the judging job, not how she felt about Cheryl being dropped


He added: 'Because it was public, of course. I think if she'd taken the UK gig, nobody would be feeling bad right now, because they're both big shows and hopefully this one will be as big as the UK show.

'But that's what you have to do when you produce, you have to make decisions in the moment and I take full responsibility for it.'

Piers then turned to Nicole and asked her if it was a 'bittersweet moment' getting the job at the expense of Cheryl who she had worked with.

It's a big show: Cowell said he had to make a decision 'in the moment' about Cheryl


After a pause, Nicole answered: ''Actually, the judges and the host, the schedule is gruelling and we're in two different areas so I didn't actually get to work with her that much.

'Obviously I think she's a gorgeous girl who is very charming but for me it was an honour, I'm not going to lie, I cried when Simon told me because I felt like no matter where he had me on the show, I was going to be of service and do the best I could.'

Moving on: Cheryl has put her X Factor departure behind her and was seen here last night launching her shoe collection


source:dailymail