Simon Cowell's Weight Jibe On X Factor USA

Simon Cowell has been criticised after joking about the weight of a contestant on The X Factor USA.

The show supremo made a quip about LA Reid, defended his young charge.

He said: "It's not up to them - it's up to America - and I think you did an excellent job. All you have to do is spread your wings because you know what, Jason? You can fly, my friend."

Meanwhile, one of the acts who got the boot last week has been unexpectedly reinstated to the competition.

Teenager Diamond White is back in, with SiCo explaining simply: "We believe we made a mistake with one act."

And he also revealed that the group which had been called 1432 - and formerly LYLAS - would now be known as Demi Lovato has been paying tribute to her fellow judge Britney Spears.

She told People: "What surprised me the most about Britney is that she's actually really quirky.

"You kind of expect a legendary pop star [to] sometimes [be], like, a diva or something, but she's really not."

Britney this week confirmed that she will "definitely" be back on the show next year.

CHECK OUT PICS OF BRITNEY, DEMI & MORE FROM THE X FACTOR USA 2012 HERE!