Simon Cowell has addressed Louis Tomlinson’s future as an X Factor judge after the death of the singer’s younger sister Félicité.
The 18-year-old died in March after a suffering suspected cardiac arrest.
Her death came after their mother Johannah Deakin died of leukaemia in 2016 at the age of 43.
Praising the star for his “strength,” Cowell revealed that he had “reached out” to Tomlinson following the tragedy and said that he would “respect” the singer’s decision if he chose to “take time off” from the show.
“I reached out to say, as friends here, we’re always here for you,” he told The Sun, adding: “If he said to me, I am taking time off I would respect that.
“What he has gone through, you don’t even think about work. You just think about how you’re going to be there for him as his friend.”
Discussing Robbie Williams and Ayda Field’s decision to leave The X Factor, which the couple confirmed earlier this month, Cowell said that it was “no secret” that the pair wanted “millions and millions of pounds” to continue on the show.
He said that there had been too much emphasis placed on the judging panel in recent years, and admitted that the show had “lost sight of the contestants.”
“I am going to be really honest with you – and this is no disrespect to Robbie or anyone else who has been on the panel – my focus this year is mainly about the people who are coming on the show to compete,” he said.
“I’m probably talking myself out of a job here, but I think there has been so much emphasis on the judges. We’ve lost sight of the contestants.
Cowell has hinted that a celebrity version of the singing contest could air later this year, alongside an all-star X Factor, similar to America’s Got Talent: The Champions.
Speaking to The Sun earlier this year, he said that he has “exciting” ideas for the show that will make a “huge change” to the format. ITV is yet to confirm Cowell’s plans.
