Cowell 'wants Shirlena X Factor return'

Simon Cowell has said that he would love to find a solution to allow axed X Factor star Shirlena Johnson to return to the show.

The talent show judge told The Sun that he understands that Johnson wants a better life for her family and wishes he could reverse the decision.

He said: "Thank you so much to all of you for your support of Shirlena. It means a lot to her and I feel the same as many of you. I'm very fond of her and she shouldn't give up performing."

Speaking of a possible return to the show, he added: "At the moment it seems our hands are tied and I'm very upset for her. I really wish we could do something to change things. I know she wants to make a better life for herself.

"I don't want this to be the end of Shirlena and The X Factor but we can't find the solution at the moment because of the advice we are being given."

A source said: "Simon really adores Shirlena and is upset this has happened. He'd love to find a way to bring her back but for now there seems to be no u-turn.

"Shirlena's best interests are at heart in making this decision. No one wants to take a risk for her and her family."

Fellow judge Louis Walsh added that most artists are eccentric, saying: "I was looking forward to working with her because she's wacky. All the best artists are wacky. Look at Grace Jones, look at Madonna, look at Robbie Williams.

"Look at Simon, there's nothing normal about him. Normal people are boring, they're forgettable. Everyone remembered her last week doing 'Mercy', humping the floor.

"To go into this business, to even write about it, you've got to be a bit interesting."