Simon Cowell fought for Paula Abdul's X Factor spot

Music mogul Simon Cowell fought to help his friend Paula Abdul keep her job as a judge on The X Factor, but he was over-ruled by TV executives.

Paula Abdul was dropped from the line-up of the reality show last month (Jan12), along with fellow panel member Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones.

Antonio 'L.A.' Reid kept his place as a judge, and Cowell reveals he did everything he could to keep Abdul alongside him on the Fox series when negotiations began at the start of the year (12).

He tells Extra, "I would've liked to have kept her. She was very gracious and I said that to her. She understands it's business; it's never personal."

Speaking about Nicole Scherzinger's departure, he adds, "I don't think she's mad. I think she's disappointed."

Simon Cowell also dismissed reports he is offering new mother Beyonce a spot on the second series of the show, declaring: "I have no idea where this rumour came from. I read it online that I offered her $100 million a year. It's complete nonsense."