Cowell: I haven’t spoken to Cheryl for six months
He dismisses claims she could return to X Factor
Cheryl with Cowell on last ever X Factor appearance
Reacting to reports the new mum had been signed up as a guest judge for €570,000, the TV mogul said bluntly: “It’s bulls***.”
Cheryl’s last appearance on The X Factor was as a judge in 2015. She has since given birth to baby Bear – born in March – with partner Liam Payne.
In her first stint in 2008 Cheryl mentored winner Alexandra Burke. She also saw Joe Mcelderry to victory the following year.
Simon once described her as “one of the best I’ve ever worked with”.
ACCENT
But in 2011 Cheryl, 34, quit the UK show to join the US version – and was then axed by Simon in the auditions round over claims viewers were struggling with her Geordie accent. After the dust settled Cowell admitted: “I got it wrong. She was humiliated on both sides of the Atlantic.”
Simon was speaking at his record label Syco’s annual summer soiree at Kensington Palace Gardens’ The Orangery on Wednesday.
He attended the glitzy bash with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman while a string of stars including Piers Morgan, Dermot O’leary, Sinitta, Cheryl in Myleene Klass and snap on Instagram
Tulisa attended. Sipping on his favourite Corona light beer he told how he gets it shipped in. He said: “It costs $3,500 dollars a time, you get about 30 crates. I get them whenever they run out”
He also revealed he now trims his own beard, saying: “I used to have someone come in and do it.”
In April, weeks after Cheryl became a mum, Simon said he had not had a call from her.
He said: “I haven’t had the call yet but I would be a godfather if asked.
“Cheryl seems in a good place. Having gone through it myself it is quite nerve-racking, but this is going to be the making of her. From people I know who have been with her, apparently she’s ecstatic so I’m happy for her.”
He also admitted that he had never been to the singer’s house. “We were friends but not that friendly,” he added. “If I get an invite I would go round to visit.”
halina.watts@trinitymirror.com