He let the cat out of the bag (it’s Friday, allow us this one pun) about Nicole’s ‘X Factor’ return during an interview on The Economist Radio, blasting her for abandoning ‘Cats’ to return to the UK.
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Andrew Lloyd Webber and Nicole Scherzinger
David M. Benett via Getty Images
Lord Lloyd Webber explained: “A week before we were going to go into rehearsal with ‘Cats’ on Broadway, she calls me and says she's decided she wants to do ‘X Factor’, having agreed everything.
“She's crazy! But the American producers just took a view - 'Well, fine, we'll get somebody else', because she's actually not very well known in America amazingly. She's much better known here.”
He went on to claim he was “furious” about her decision, adding: “I went out on a limb to get her for the London Palladium here, and it makes me look like an absolute twot with them all.
"But never mind, there'll be another girl on Broadway and Nicole will not get her Tony Award."
Listen to Andrew Lloyd Webber’s full interview here.
Tap the image below to launch the gallery…
'X Factor' Judges Through The Years
Series 1-3 (2004-2006)(01 of11)
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The original line-up: Sharon Osbourne, Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh (credit:ITV)
Series 4 (2007)(02 of11)
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All change: Dannii Minogue joins Simon Cowell and Sharon Osbourne, with Brian Freidman replacing Louis Walsh.Dermot O'Leary also replaces Kate Thornton as the show's host.
Series 4 (2007)(03 of11)
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The return of the Walsh: Louis makes a comeback after Brian Freidman is axed from the panel after only a few days of auditions.
Series 5-7 (2008-2010)(04 of11)
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The golden era: Cheryl Cole replaces Sharon Osbourne, joining Simon, Dannii and Louis.
Series 8 (2011)(05 of11)
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A mass exodus: Gary Barlow, Tulisa and Kelly Rowland join the only original remaining judge, Louis Walsh.
Series 9 (2012)(06 of11)
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Schermazing: Nicole Sherzinger replaces Kelly Rowland, joining Gary, Tulisa and Louis.
Series 10 (2013)(07 of11)
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She's BACK! Sharon Osbourne rejoins the panel after five years, replacing Tulisa and joining Louis, Gary and Nicole. (credit:Rex)
Series 11 (2014)(08 of11)
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REUNITED: Simon and Cheryl return alongside Louis Walsh and new judge Mel B. (credit:Syco/Thames/ITV)
Series 12 (2015)(09 of11)
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Bye bye Louis: Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora replace Louis and Mel, as they join Simon and Cheryl on the panel. Meanwhile, Caroline Flack and Olly Murs step into Dermot's shoes as hosts. (credit:Twitter)
Series 13-14 (2016-17)(10 of11)
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A vintage line-up: Nicole, Louis and Sharon all stage sensational returns to the panel after the departures of Cheryl, Nick and Rita, while Dermot also returns as host. (credit:ITV)
Series 15 (2018)(11 of11)
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WTF?! Louis Tomlinson becomes the first former contestant to join the panel permanently, while Robbie joins the panel alongside his wife and 'Loose Women' panellist Ayda Field. (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)