Simon Cowell regrets firing Cheryl Cole as 'X Factor' judge

London, May 2 (ANI): Simon Cowell has admitted that the way he fired Cheryl Cole from the American 'X Factor' was not right, adding that axing her as a judge tested their friendship.

The media mogul said that the door is "permanently open" to work together again in an interview.

"If I could reverse time, it wouldn't have happened," the Daily Express quoted him as telling GQ magazine.

"It was one of those things where you have to put your producer's hat on.

"I thought she was more comfortable on the UK show. I was still going to pay her for what she did, which was a lot of money," he said.

He insisted that he truly wanted the singer to return to the British X Factor and that she was badly advised not to do so.

"If it was left to her, she would have done it," he said.

He admitted the situation put a massive strain on their friendship, saying: "Yes she was hurt. I didn't want that to happen." (ANI)