X Factor boss Simon Cowell, 53, has admitted he was attracted to Cheryl Cole – his former colleague on the hit talent show. In an interview with Radio Times the music star said, "I mean literally, when she walked on set on the first day in the UK I thought that she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life." Asked if he liked to work with women he found attractive, Simon replied, "A lot of them yes, I'm not going to lie."
Simon's recent romantic history seems to confirm that admission. While his relationship with Cheryl, 29, was purely platonic, the Fight for This Love singer worked alongside Dannii Minogue, with whom Simon is said to have enjoyed more than a working relationship. The music mogul also recently split with US model Carmen Electra. The pair met after the glamour girl's stint as a judge on Britain's Got Talent. During the exclusive interview, Simon also addresses rumours about his sexuality. "I work in possibly the gayest industry in the world. Music and TV," he said. "It would make no difference to my life or my career. "A lot of my friends are gay but I'm not and don't even think that way anymore. I couldn't care less [if people think I'm gay] because it's nothing to be ashamed of." Simon's comments come as X Factor gears up for another series. Auditions are already underway across the country, and this time the boss wants some changes implemented. There will be a new judge on the panel, with Tulisa Contostavlos rumoured to be leaving the show. Simon won't be returning to the hot seat.
"The format is 10 years old and any format that has lasted that long you have to change because the inevitable result is if you don't [the ratings] will go down," Simon added. "Every aspect of the show [will be changed] in some particular way. It will look like a slightly different show to one you have seen before. "My job is to try and make the show better than it was two or three years ago."