Simon Cowell once banned Cheryl Fernandez-Versini's husband from the 'X Factor' studio.

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell

The music mogul was unimpressed when Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini started screaming when Cheryl's act was in the bottom two and he told Cheryl - who is now finalising her divorce from JB - to leave him at home next time.

Simon told the Sunday People: "There was one night where his behaviour was out of order. 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.

"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 jumps 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 over-excited when he came down to the shows occasionally."

While Cheryl has now quit 'The X Factor', Simon insists they are still close and he would love to work with her again in the future.

He said: "She is very closed to a lot of people, but once you get behind that she is great fun and has a great sense of humour. I really like her and I just want her to be happy.

"She stays in contact by phone and text and is good, but I do think she misses working with me."

'The X Factor' saw its ratings slump last year and Simon believes that, along with Cheryl's marriage breakdown, meant she needed a break.

He explained: "It was stressful. Cheryl probably picked up on that a bit and with the marriage breaking down at the same time, it is not an ideal place when you are on live TV every week."