Simon Cowell says Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Mel-B make bad X Factor judges

Fans haven't even seen the first show and already X Factor baddie Simon Cowell is stirring up trouble.

The 'mean' music mogul - who has made his return to the panel this year - claims to know the secret to being a good judge - you can't be a solo artist.

He believes Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and new recruit Mel-B make bad judges on the Saturday night reality TV show because they are solo artists and can only think about their own careers.

According to The Sun, Simon told a US TV show: "Singers don't want to find stars. It's not in their DNA. They only think about themselves. That is the nature of being a solo artist.

"I own a record label. So the only thing I'm interested in is finding a star."

The 54-year-old even believes that the Crazy Stupid Love singer and the former Spice Girl often don't want the acts to do well as it means they will be compared to the competition's talent.

He explained: "You put a singer in my seat and somebody ten years younger than her comes on and is better, she does not want her to do well. It's a fact."

Meanwhile, Simon also admitted he takes to Twitter during the show to read-up on the audience's opinion of the series and is "excited" to find out how they are reacting to it.

He said: "I'm watching the social stuff on Twitter or wherever else as I'm watching the show.

"It's so exciting, having that ability to actually have that instant feedback as to how people are reacting to your show or not."