Simon Cowell Talks About Axing Cheryl Cole as 'The X Factor' Judge

The excitement surrounding Simon Cowell's new reality talent show 'The X Factor' is reaching fever pitch ahead of tonight's premiere.

Over the summer there was much drama off-screen as judge Cheryl Cole was booted from the panel after auditions had got underway and was replaced by the show's original co-host, Pussycat Dolls singer Nicole Scherzinger.

Cowell and Scherzinger were guests on 'Piers Morgan Tonight' and he talked candidly about the reasons for Cole's departure: "I was talking to someone about this at the screening the other night and they put it very well -- she looked a bit bewildered."

Cowell -- who says he feels bad about the very public way in which Cole was fired -- added that "I took the view, along with a few other people, that she would have been more comfortable back in the UK."

He also opened up about his hopes for 'The X Factor' and whether it will take down 'American Idol.'

Saying that he takes "full responsibility" for what went down with Cole, Cowell said that if she had accepted his offer of her old job back on the U.K. version of 'The X Factor,' then "nobody would be feeling bad right now, because they're both big shows and hopefully this one will be as big as the U.K. show."

Scherzinger, who has remained diplomatically silent about the affair, refused to be drawn on the matter. She told Morgan that, "Actually, the judges and the host, the schedule is gruelling and we're in two different areas so I didn't actually get to work with [Cole] that much."

She added, "for me it was an honor, I'm not going to lie, I cried when Simon told me because I felt like no matter where he had me on the show, I was going to be of service and do the best I could."

When asked if he wanted 'The X Factor' to take down his former reality TV juggernaut, 'American Idol,' Cowell said "well, of course! ... I mean, you don't do anything for the silver or bronze medal, do you?"

Pointing to the lack of age limit on 'The X Factor,' Cowell promised that viewers will see "a very different type of contestant." He also said that even if the show fails, he'll still be proud of it.

For more on 'The X Factor,' check out the video and gallery below!

'The X Factor' launches tonight, Wed. Sept. 21, at 8PM ET on Fox.