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Tuesday, 13 March 2007

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Simon Cowell: I did not fire Louis

He says ITV sacked the X Factor judge

Simon Cowell last night refuted claims he axed Louis Walsh from the X Factor and insisted it was ITV.

The 47-year-old said he urged TV bosses to keep Louis and host Kate Thornton but was overruled.

But he said he could understand exactly why ITV1 felt they had to revamp the line-up. He said TV chiefs told him they needed to shake it up like they did with soaps.

'ITV came to us asking to make changes,' he says. 'They have the right to change what they want. I understand exactly what they mean. It's important to move on. At the end of the day they own the show, not me.'

Simon has since spoken to Louis and says he plans to call Kate, 34, over the weekend.

We won't be surprised if she doesn't want to speak to you, Simon...