Cowell's 'X Factor' bodyguard sacked

Simon Cowell's X Factor bodyguard Tony Adkins has been sacked after six years, it has been announced.

Adkins, 47, was often seen dealing with volatile contestants on the ITV1 talent programme and also made regular appearances on spinoff The Xtra Factor.

However, show producers Talkback Thames have now recruited a new security team for this year's series, which kicked off with auditions in London last month.

Speaking to The People, Adkins complained: "It feels like a slap in the face. I considered Simon to be a friend but he hasn't even sent me a text, or asked one of his assistants to contact me to explain what's happened.

"After six years together I just got a phone call from the production team to say they were getting in a new security company. They couldn't even tell me to my face. I had to hear it on the phone. I feel well and truly shafted."

X Factor's executive producer Richard Holloway commented: "Tony was employed by Talkback Thames and not Simon, as the judges' guard.

"I explained to Tony personally that we needed to beef up our security system for this series as the show is now much bigger. It was nothing against Tony, we just needed to make a change."

The X Factor returns to ITV1 in August.