Not worried about the future of X Factor: Simon Cowell

Simon Phillip Cowell is an English television talent judge and mentor, music and television producer, music talent scout (aka A&R executive) and entrepreneur. He is most recognized as a judge on the British TV talent competition series The X Factor. In 2004, with Sharon Osbourne and Louis Walsh, Cowell was a judge on the first series of the British television music competition The X Factor, which he created using his production company, Syco. In March 2015, it was announced that Cowell would return to the X Factor for its twelfth series along with veteran judgeCheryl Fernandez-Versini, and newcomers Rita Ora and BBC Radio 1 DJ Nick Grimshaw.

You made some harsh comments about getting the overs, what was that about?

I had to apologise to the guys. I said I was being very sulky and very childish. I said I actually hated my guts when I saw it back on the show. But we are all friends now. I was being petulant, wanting to get my own way. I wanted to work with the girls. I think the winner could be in that category so I was disappointed. But you get over it.

How did they react?

Well they weren’t thrilled but they were very good about it. And once we got into the competition they were fine.

Have you got an idea who the winner is?

I change my mind all the time.

Do you think you have a winner?

I wouldn’t say it is going to be easy, but I am more confident now.

Who has got the strongest category?

The girls arguably are the strongest category I think, then I would say the boys closely followed by the overs, only because of what I have seen during judges houses. They have got such great personalities these people. They are not feeling sorry for themselves and they are embracing their experience. I think as people you will root for them.

So Cheryl has no chance then?

Cheryl thought she had an easy category, I think she has the hardest category, I really do. I liked Fourth Impact, their first audition. I like Alien but I don’t think our audience will get them yet, I really don't.

There has been a lot of talk about Louis Walsh, what do you make of all that?

I spoke to Louis last night and I said ‘I don’t know what has happened but you are suddenly the most popular person in this country. And he said ‘I know’. I can’t explain it, I think people obviously miss him.

Where are we with Louis returning to the show?

I don’t know. We are not getting rid of anyone that is for sure. There is talk about possibilities of guest judges so that is where Louis could fit in. We can make a slightly bigger desk. We will run through the ideas!

Would a fifth judge help with the vote?

That is a good point. There is also something else which we haven’t announced yet which will add to the logic of having a fifth judge. I really can’t tell you at this point what it is, but it will all make sense. A lot of ideas are being discussed but we have had these ideas for months.

We have discussed it with the other judges, we have been talking about it for a while. I think if it is something we are going to consider it has to make sense editorially. The focus has to be on the contestants because that is what they have signed up for but on a live show anything can happen.

Nick has become the fall guy for criticism of the show, is that fair?

I don’t think it is that fair, no. He hasn’t got an ego but what none of us anticipated - and I said this to Nick - is how much people like Louis. So whoever took his seat was going to get a bit of stick. I did say to him before he took the job, I said, ‘Just to warn you, you are going to get a lot of press and it isn’t always going to be great. Just be warned’. The public have got opinions, the media have got opinions, but he just has to take it all on the chin.

How many years do you think it has left?

I wouldn’t worry about the future of X Factor. We are going to be fine. If we are sitting here in ten years time then we will have a very large celebration. I think, not for me, it is a little bit tough on the producers that they don’t get the recognition they deserve because it is a big, big, difficult show to make and they put a lot of time and passion into it. You meet the team, and they are a big team, and they are knackered and I get a little bit frustrated that it is not recognised for what it has done. I get quite defensive of the team for obvious reasons.