PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Reigning X Factor champion Matt Cardle has claimed he's not seen show boss Simon Cowell since his triumph.
The When We Collide chart-topper signed a deal with Cowell's company Syco following his win, but said he has only had "light contact" with him over the phone.
And Cardle said he had only heard Cowell's verdict on his forthcoming album second-hand.
However, in an interview with Radio 1's Newsbeat, the singer said the music and TV executive had been tied up with launching the X Factor in the US.
Cardle, who was mentored by Dannii Minogue during his stint on the show, was asked how involved Cowell had been in the process of making the album.
He said hesitantly: "Um, I'm not too sure.
"He's listened to the album and I think he loves it from what I've heard. That could be people feeding me lines to keep me happy. But I'm pretty sure that he's enjoying it."
Asked to clarify whether Cowell had been hands-off during the making of the album, Cardle said: "Yeah, well I haven't seen him personally since the show. There's been some light contact over the phone. He's so busy, he's got X Factor US to deal with.
"So I've been out of his face."