Simon Cowell shares reason for launching rival X Factor show ahead of Little Mix

Simon Cowell, 60, has discussed the real reason he is launching X Factor : The Band which is set to rival Little Mix: The Search.

Both TV series will be hunting down talent to manufacture pop bands - similarly to how Little Mix's Perrie Edwards Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock were merged together on the 2011 series of Cowell's The X Factor.

During an interview on Heart radio on Tuesday morning, Simon told that he "owes Little Mix a lot" and his decision to bring X Factor: The Band forward was simply because he "did not want to follow their show" as his was already in the pipeline.

Radio host and Simon's fellow Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden quizzed: "What is going on? You completely changed X factor! We all enjoyed the celebrity version, All Stars is now not happening - tell us what’s happening."

Acting coy, Simon replied: “Very serious Amanda.”

Simon Cowell, 60, has discussed the real reason he is launching X Factor: The Band which is set to rival Little Mix: The Search (Heart)

Pushing him on, she added: “Lets get to the bones of it.”

Opening up, the father-of-one explained: "It is the same with music, radio, TV, sometimes you have just got to do something quick!

"The truth was that I have a group show that I launched in America four or five years ago, I always decided to do a group show in the UK. So we agreed with ITV that we were going to do X Factor groups in 2020."

Both TV series will be hunting down talent to manufacture pop bands - similarly to how Little Mix's Perrie Edwards Jesy Nelson, Jade Thirlwall and Leigh-Anne Pinnock were merged together on the 2011 series of Cowell's The X Factor (David Fisher/REX)

Discussing the change of schedule, he added: "So that was all fine and then we were going to do the All Stars version this year.

"Then when we found out that the Little Mix show was going to go out in 2020 I didn’t want to follow their show since we already planned it years ago - we will just bring it forward!

"It was as simple as that!"

Radio host Amanda Holden probed Simon on why he made the decision (Heart)

During an interview on Heart radio Simon told that he "owes Little Mix a lot" (Heart)

Shutting down rumours of a feud between the TV judge and the foursome, he continued: "It is not some grudge against Little Mix or whatever because I owe those girls a lot.

"Even though we gave them a launch pad they sold a lot of records. I thought their idea was a great idea. Sometimes you want to be the first one to do it."

The music mogul added that there is no grudge with Little Mix (Heart)

When co-host Jamie Theakston asked Simon if the original X Factor would return he was told it would (Heart)

Co-host Jamie Theakston then enquired: “Can I ask where does the leave X Factor the original show? Will that come back in its current format?"

Uncovering future plans, Simon replied: “Yes, that will come back.”

Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033