Nick, 30, joined the judging panel this year, replacing Louis Walsh, but it was recently alleged Simon, 55, and the ITV bosses are unimpressed with the Radio 1 DJ.
However music mogul Simon has dismissed these claims. He told the Press Association: “Nick by the way, just for the record, I love Nick and I love this panel, it works and it’s fun and they’re enjoying it.”
During last weekend’s episode, Simon was seen ending a video call with Nick – who was unable to make filming due to his radio commitments.
Seemingly annoyed with Nick’s inability to decide which acts to take through to the next round, the dad-of-one slammed the laptop shut.
But he’s since claimed that it was done in jest and he thought it would be cut from the footage. Speaking to the Mirror, Si explained: “I sent him a text last night [to apologise].
“I didn’t know they were going to put that in the show. That was quite embarrassing. It was meant as a joke but it didn’t quite come across in that way.”
Some viewers have expressed their outrage over Nick missing some of the audition process, insisting that it’s the most important part of the show.