Cowell: Cheryl is '100 per cent' welcome on the X Factor panel

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Cowell told the Daily Mirror he is hopeful they will resume their working relationship.

"I regret what happened because Cheryl was a close friend. I've always believed we'll end up doing something together again," he said.

Asked about a potential return to The X Factor, he added: "She could be a panellist again if she wanted to - 100 per cent.

"I don't know if she would. I think she probably misses me."

Cowell admitted that he felt like "public enemy number one" in the aftermath of Cheryl's axing.

He added: "She is a grown-up and she understands that in this business when something happens it happens publicly.

"That wasn't a great week for me. When I came back last year I was public enemy number one and I wouldn't want to go through that again."

Cowell is said to have angered ITV executives after admitting that he "hadn't decided" if the current judging panel - Gary Barlow, Louis Walsh, Kelly Rowland and Tulisa Contostavlos - will return this year.

A source told the Daily Mirror: "We want Gary to stay. He did a brilliant job and we would be thrilled to have him back.

"It isn't Simon's decision - he has overstepped the mark.

"We're not sure if Kelly will want to do it. Tulisa did a solid job and Louis is, well, Louis. But we really appreciate the work Gary did."