Simon Cowell: No love for 'American Idol,' not on speaking terms with Cheryl Cole

We have to say, despite the disappointment involved, losing Cheryl Cole from the U.S. version of "X Factor," it's sure helping to drum up press for the show. Simon Cowell admitted that he handled the situation badly, and he describes the fall-out in a cover story in the new THR.

"I said: 'Cheryl, you've got to raise your game a bit. This is America, it's a much tougher market,'" Cowell explains. He says that when he invited Cole to return, negotiations took a sour turn. "We had gotten to the point where she wanted my dressing room."

Ouch. The former friends and coworkers haven't spoken since.

Speaking of former coworkers, Cowell also had some words about Simon Fuller and "American Idol."

"The truth is, I was a big part of 'Idol' being a success," says Cowell. "I worked my nuts off. Then when you read catty comments that play down my role, that's disrespectful."

Fuller is currently in a lawsuit with Fox and Fremantle, suing for executive producer credit on "The X Factor," based on an agreement he allegedly made with Cowell in 2004. "It goes back to being a kid; if you shake hands with somebody, then it's a deal, simple as that," Cowell says. "If someone breaks that trust, and they can't admit it to you, it's cowardly. I'd rather have a person look me in the eye and say, 'I'm going to screw you.'"

"The X Factor" premieres on Fox on Sept. 21.