Louis Walsh: Simon Cowell stabbed me in the back

X Factor judge left smarting over sacking

Monday, 12 March 2007

Louis Walsh says he feels betrayed by Simon Cowell's decision to ditch him from The X Factor.

The pop manager, 54, was given the boot from the ITV show last week, along with host Kate Thornton, 34.

And the pair are both smarting from the decision taken by programme chiefs - including Simon Cowell.

'I was really shocked, I have to admit that,' Louis tells The Sun.

'I did feel like I'd been stabbed in the back. With Simon it's all about work. He told me: "It's nothing personal."'

Louis also feels getting rid of Kate as presenter was a bad move. 'She was like a mother figure for all the acts,' he explains. 'She'll be a big loss.

'It was made worse because Simon and ITV kept telling Kate she was safe and she would be staying. But it would seem Simon's word is not his bond.'

But Simon, 47, insists that he did fight to keep both the stars on the show. 'I did put up arguements for Louis and Kate to stay,' he said. 'But ITV put up arguments for them to go and it was their ultimate decision.'