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Simon Cowell has released a statement regarding the sacking of Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and Steve Jones. He wrote:
“I want to say a massive thank you to Paula, Nicole and Steve for being part of the X Factor last year. You do develop friendships with the people you work with and Paula, in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future.”
Meanwhile Paula has also released a statement:
Yes, it’s true; I won’t be returning to The X Factor next season. I’ve learned through my longevity in this industry that business decisions often times override personal considerations. Simon and I, along with Fox and Fremantle, have been communicating about this for a while now, and I have absolute understanding of the situation. Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I’ve treasured my experience working this past season with my extended family at Fox and Freemantle. I want nothing more than for The X Factor to exceed ALL of their wildest dreams. This truly has been a blessing and I am most grateful”
