Simon Cowellis said to be gutted that Cheryl Colewas axed from The X Factor USA.

The Sun quotes the music mogul as saying: “I feel guilty. I'm sorry it didn't work out,” before going on to insist that his “hands were tied” after the Will.I.Am is thought to be heading up negotiations with ITV. New UK judge Gary Barlow is also said to have rung Cheryl to urge her to return to the show.

As previously reported on MTV, Louis Walshhas spoken out in support of the star and said he’d love to have her back on the UK judging panel. "We'd welcome her with open arms,” he said. “I'm surprised about what happened to Cheryl in the US but yes I'd like her back on the UK show."