X Factor fans have always had a soft spot for twinkly-eyed Louis Walsh; after ten years on the show, he's become a familiar face in our homes - a little bit like our friendly - and sometimes embarrassing - uncle.
"Simon created her and it was her moment"
However, in a brand-new interview, the music manager has revealed that he is a little spikier than we first realised. Especially when it comes to Cheryl Cole, whom he sat alongside on the X Factor judging panel between 2008 and 2010.
They may have been polite to each other on screen, but Louis didn't seem impressed when asked after her during a Daily Mail interview this week, saying: "She’s a tough girl behind the dewy eyes and the 'I’m a little girl from Newcastle' act."
Louis went on to add that he credits Simon with turning Chezza's image around from being just a girl band singer into, albeit briefly, a national treasure.
"Louis' comments has left her feeling humiliated and hurt"
"Simon created her and it was her moment."
It's not the first time Louis has slammed Cheryl Cole; while speaking with a UK magazine, he admitted that working alongside her for three years "was never great."
"She won a competition, married a footballer and now she’s in a hair advert. Nadine Coyle was the voice of Girls Aloud. Cheryl made herself the face and best of luck to her."
Unsurprisingly, Cheryl didn't take the comments well, with insiders revealing that Louis has left her feeling "humiliated and hurt".
"[She] is feeling lonely, so hearing Louis' comments has left her feeling humiliated and hurt. She can't believe his audacity - he seems intent on undermining her and Girls Aloud."
One person who doesn't have to fear Louis' acid tongue? Nicole Scherzinger.
"I think Nicole’s been the best female – by a mile!" he gushed to the Daily Mail.
"[She's] The hardest-working, most professional, everything. She knows music, dance, make-up and hair and all that. I think she’s brilliant."
Fans of The X Factor will be well aware that Simon and Cheryl are rumoured to make a return to the show's judging panel in 2014, and, while Louis always said this would be his last year, he has openly spoken about his desire to stay if Simon comes back.
We wonder how frosty the atmosphere will be between Louis and Cheryl if they do find themselves working alongside each other in the not so distant future…?
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