X FACTOR boss Simon Cowell has dismissed claims from friends of Cheryl Fernandez-Versini’s ex that he played a part in their marriage split .
But the 56-year-old mogul did admit he warned Jean Bernard about his behaviour at the studios and told Cheryl to leave him at home.
He said: “There was one night, if I am going to be honest with you, where his behaviour was out of order.
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“Cheryl had an act in the bottom two or something. He was up on his feet, he was screaming, he put his hand across his neck at me,” Simon added, motioning to slit his throat.
“I went, ‘Hang on a minute, this is a competition, it is not my fault’.
“I just said afterwards to Cheryl, ‘It might be better if he doesn’t come down and watches it at home on TV, and he can jump on as many sofas as he wants’. Their marriage breakdown had nothing to do with me.
“I got on fine with him, I just think he got a bit overexcited when he came to the shows occasionally.”
Cheryl ,33, and the One Direction star Liam Payne, 22, got together during The X Factor live stages in December so have been an item for less than a year.
Sources close to the couple say they’re trying for a baby.
Asked about the reports, Cowell referred to his own baby son Eric and said: “I guess that is what happens when you are with someone.
“Cheryl would be an amazing mum, I know that. I have seen her with Eric and other kids over the years and she is incredible, she is very good with them. I think she is in a good place in her life right now.
“I had dinner with her a couple of months ago with Liam and they were great. I saw her the other night and she was on great form and she stays in contact on phone and text and she is good.
“But I do think she misses working with me.
“We make enough shows and we will always be working with Cheryl in some capacity.
“She is very loyal and she is a great girl. I really like her and I just want her to be happy.”