Cowell: Cheryl blew me out on 'Talent' role

Simon Cowell has revealed that new X Factor judge Cheryl Cole "blew him out" after he offered her a job on Britain's Got Talent.

The Girls Aloud star caught Cowell's eye when she persuaded him to donate money to charity while competing on a celebrity version of The Apprentice in 2007.

"I made a decision there and then that I had to put this girl on a show," Cowell recalled. "I meet so many people so when someone stands out I kinda know. I offered her Britain's Got Talent and she said yes but then she blew me out. Yeah, I got blown out by Cheryl."

Cowell proceeded to hire actress Amanda Holden for the Talent role, but insisted that things have now worked out for the best.

"That's not to say I'm not happy with Amanda, because I love Amanda. Now I've got Amanda on Britain's Got Talent and Cheryl on The X Factor," he said.

> Click here for our video interviews with all four X Factor judges