Cowell accused of shunning 'X Factor' acts

X Factor judge Simon Cowell has come under fire for not spending enough time mentoring his acts.

The 46-year-old is currently in Los Angeles filming the next season of American Idol and is not due to return to the UK until Thursday, just two days before the live shows begin.

"That's a bit late, isn't it?" rival judge Louis Walsh told the Daily Star. "I have been working with my acts for three weeks now and I often text them and chat on the phone. Sharon flew into the country last week to be with hers. It looks like Simon only has a couple of days to get things right."

Cowell's acts include girl groups Addictiv Ladies and The Conway Sisters, boyband 4Tune and fraternal duo Journey South.