Simon Cowell ISN’T a monster

Simon Cowell says he isn’t a monster. The talent show judge has spoken out about the drama surrounded Cheryl Cole’s axing from the US X Factor.

Cowell told The Sun: “I’m sorry. I hope we’re still close friends. She’s still a star.

“The hardest thing to accept is that everyone has painted me as a monster because I embarrassed her. “But the truth was I was protecting her. I just want people to be in the best place at the right time.”

Cowell also told the paper that Cheryl text him saying saying that she felt let down about the US show but understood it was a professional decision.

He said: “I replied saying, ‘This was never personal or saying you were terrible’. It wasn’t that she was terrible – she was good. I just thought she’d be happier in the UK.”