Simon Cowell has hit back at former X Factor contestants

Simon Cowell has hit back at former X Factor contestants who have flopped and accused him of ruining their lives.

The 49-year-old X Factor judge has often been slated by former contestants such as Steve Brookstein and Nikki Evans.

However, Cowell talked about the show’s 2006 winner Leona Lewis and her international success.

He said: “What Leona has done is that she has made the most out of her opportunity.”

He added: “Other people, it doesn’t work out, they blame us for wrecking their lives. No, we didn’t. We just said: ‘Welcome on the talent show – we’ll put you in front of millions of people. Good luck to you.’”

Cowell also said he struggled with his conscience when Susan Boyle, a contestant on his other show Britain’s Got Talent, spent time in a London clinic after finishing the show in second place.

He said: “It was a very, very, very tricky situation for me throughout because you have to ask yourself the question: ‘Have I done the right thing or the wrong thing?’”

But he said it would have been wrong to deny Susan, 48, the opportunity to finish the competition after her meltdown.