Cowell fought for Abdul's X Factor spot

Published Wednesday, 08 February 2012

Music mogul Simon Cowell fought to help his friend Paula Abdul keep her job as a judge on America's The X Factor, but he was over-ruled by TV executives.

Abdul was dropped from the line-up of the reality show last month, along with fellow panel member Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones.

Antonio 'L.A.' Reid kept his place as a judge, and Cowell reveals he did everything he could to keep Abdul alongside him on the Fox series when negotiations began at the start of the year.

He tells Extra: "I would've liked to have kept her. She was very gracious and I said that to her. She understands it's business; it's never personal."

Speaking about Scherzinger's departure, he adds: "I don't think she's mad. I think she's disappointed."

Cowell also dismissed reports he is offering new mother Beyonce a spot on the second series of the show, declaring: "I have no idea where this rumour came from. I read it online that I offered her $100 million a year. It's complete nonsense."