Simon Cowell has expressed his grief over the sacking of judge Cheryl Cole from the US X Factor show.
He is said to have confided to a friend that he feels guilty and sorry that it didn't work out, reported The Sun.
Cowell reportedly said that his 'hands were tied' by network executives, who did not seem to be impressed by the 27-year-old pop star.
"He is gutted," said a source at Fox channel.
"He loves Cheryl and did everything in his power to get her on US TV. But channel chiefs just weren't happy. It was a necessary evil and he feels terribly guilty about it," the source added.