Entertainmentsimon cowellNick Grimshawx factor

'X Factor': Simon Cowell Defends Nick Grimshaw From Fan Backlash, Insisting Viewers Will 'See Different Side' To Radio 1 DJ

Simon Speaks Out On Grimmy 'X Factor' Backlash
Open Image Modal
By 

Entertainment Editor, HuffPost UK

|

Simon Cowell has addressed the backlash Nick Grimshaw received after joining the ‘X Factor’.

MORE 'X FACTOR':

Fans were split over the decision to hire the Radio 1 Breakfast Show DJ for the new series of the ITV talent show, when it was announced he would replace Louis Walsh earlier this year.

Open Image Modal

Simon Cowell and Nick Grimshaw

Now the show boss has said he felt sorry for Grimmy during the controversy, insisting viewers will see a different side to him when ‘X Factor’ returns this weekend.

Speaking to HuffPost UK and other reporters on the red carpet of the show’s press launch, Simon said: “I felt for Nick beforehand because he’d read some of the stuff and it’s not a great feeling when you’re going in with people saying you shouldn’t be on the show, but it just went over his head.

“I didn’t know Nick well but I’ve got to know him better, and I thought if we could show the side I know - which is different to what I knew before - people are going to be surprised.”

Open Image Modal

Louis Walsh was dropped from the show after 11 series

Simon also admitted that he hasn’t at any point regretted firing his pal Louis to hire Grimmy.

Of the former judge, he said: “He was waiting everyday with his bag packed. I kind of felt for Nick because I think he knew that, but within a few minutes we were all so comfortable because we’d had dinner at my house the week before and got to know each other. So it wasn’t awkward and Louis never got the call.”

Speaking about Mel B’s exit from the panel after just one series, Simon added that his desire to hire Rita Ora had been much greater than his wish to keep the Spice Girl on the show.

Open Image Modal

Mel B lasted just one series on 'X Factor'

“She does ‘America’s Got Talent’ for us and I think there’s only so many shows you can do,” he explained.

“Listen, I’m not going to lie, I really, really wanted Rita for this show, and once I’d made up my mind, Mel was fine on the other one, so I was like, do it, go for it.”

‘The X Factor’ returns this Saturday (29 August) at 8pm on ITV.

'X Factor' Launch
"The X Factor" Press Launch(01 of23)
Open Image Modal
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (credit:Dymond/Syco/Thames/Corbis)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(02 of23)
Open Image Modal
Simon Cowell (credit:Dymond/Syco/Thames/Corbis)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(03 of23)
Open Image Modal
Melvin Odoom and Rochelle Humes (credit:Dymond/Syco/Thames/Corbis)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(04 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Caroline Flack and Olly Murs attend the press launch of 'The X Factor' on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(05 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Caroline Flack and Olly Murs attend the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(06 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Rylan Clark attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(07 of23)
Open Image Modal
Rochelle Humes (credit:Dymond/Syco/Thames/Corbis)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(08 of23)
Open Image Modal
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (credit:Dymond/Syco/Thames/Corbis)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(09 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(10 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Simon Cowell attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(11 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Nick Grimshaw attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(12 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(13 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Melvin Odoom and Rochelle Humes attend the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(14 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(15 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Rochelle Humes attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(16 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Rochelle Humes attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(17 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(18 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Sinitta attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(19 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Simon Cowell attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' at the Picturehouse Central on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage) (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(20 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Melvin Odoom attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Mike Marsland via Getty Images)
X Factor Media Launch - London(21 of23)
Open Image Modal
Cheryl Fernandez-Versini attending the X Factor Media Launch held at Playhouse Central on Shaftesbury Avenue, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 26, 2015. Photo credit should read: Phillip Toscano/PA Wire (credit:Philip Toscano/PA Wire)
X Factor Media Launch - London(22 of23)
Open Image Modal
Caroline Flack and Olly Murs attending the X Factor Media Launch held at Playhouse Central on Shaftesbury Avenue, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday August 26, 2015. Photo credit should read: Phillip Toscano/PA Wire (credit:Philip Toscano/PA Wire)
"The X Factor" Press Launch(23 of23)
Open Image Modal
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Nick Grimshaw attends the press launch of 'The X Factor' on August 26, 2015 in London, England. (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images) (credit:Gareth Cattermole via Getty Images)

LIKE US ON FACEBOOK | FOLLOW US ON TWITTER

Suggest a correction
|
Submit a tip