Music mogul Simon Cowell has opened up about about Cheryl Fernandez Versini's exit from "The X Factor", saying he had a feeling for a long while that the singer wouldn't be returning for the next series of the long-running show.
Cowell, 56, reckons that her new relationship with One Direction star Liam Payne has a lot to do with her decision, reported Daily Mirror.
"I had a feeling she would leave. She is at a certain place in her life at the moment. I saw her and Liam a couple of weeks ago and they looked really happy," Cowell said.
"And I believed for a long while that her big thing was to make records. It's a huge commitment to do one of these shows."
However, there's no fallout or bad feeling from the decision. In fact Cowell has Cheryl in mind for a future show he's working on.
"We are on good terms and will probably end up doing something else together. Maybe a different sort of show. I have something in mind I want to talk to her about. But I don't think a break will do her any harm."
Besides Cheryl, Nick Grimshaw has already confirmed his departure from "The X Factor" after one year on the judging panel.
Presenters Olly Murs and Caroline Flack have also left the show, with ex-host Dermot O'Leary returning to front the competition.
