Simon Cowell has revealed that viewers of American Idol are as nasty as him.

The show's judge explained that he has no regrets about his honesty because he is only saying what members of the public will be thinking.

"I have great faith in humanity because I think deep down, everyone's as bad as me," he told WENN.

"I try and say what I believe people at home are thinking. I loathe political correctness. It's one of the reasons why Idol is successful, because it just speaks to the normal person."