Lythgoe says Cowell has destroyed integrity of X Factor

Nigel Lythgoe launched Simon Cowell's TV career on Pop Idol in 2001

Simon Cowell has "destroyed the integrity" of The X Factor by putting on novelty acts who lack talent.

That's according to American Idol producer Nigel Lythgoe, who launched Cowell's TV career on Pop Idol in 2001.

He's also told the Radio Times that viewers haven't missed the 51-year-old on the show this year after he quit as a judge to launch X Factor USA.

Lythgoe said: "In a way, I'm delighted Simon's left American Idol. He's given us the opportunity to refurbish it."

Nigel Lythgoe, who returns this weekend as a judge on BBC One's So You Think You Can Dance, says contestants on singing shows have to have talent or an incredible story.

He said: "I don't class The X Factor as a talent show. Look at Jedward and Wagner. They're on because we love the fun and the circus of it.

"Simon knows what he's doing. It certainly gives the press something to feed off. But it destroys the integrity of the show."

'Nasty' judge

Simon Cowell will be a judge and executive producer for The X Factor USA with a five million dollar (£3.09m) recording contract for the winner of the series.

Nigel Lythgoe, 61, says he's not worried about the show and says American Idol has prospered since Cowell left.

"Everyone said that it would be the end," he said. "And what's happened?

"The ratings are equal to last year's, we got 30 million votes the other evening and if we lost 50% of our audience we would still be the number one show.

"Does there always need to be a 'nasty' judge? No, now that Simon's left American Idol we don't have a mean person and everyone's saying this is the best season since the early days."

Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler, singer Jennifer Lopez and record producer Randy Jackson are this year's judges on American Idol.

Record executive Antonio "LA" Reid, who helped launch the careers of chart stars Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber and Jay-Z, has been announced as one of the judges of The X Factor USA.

There's still speculation that Cheryl Cole could be a judge on the show although Dermot O'Leary has revealed he won't be the show's presenter.

Other stars reportedly in the running are rapper Nicki Minaj, former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger, singer Katy Perry and former American Idol judge Paula Abdul.