Simon Cowell blasts claims he’s quit Netflix boyband search to find the next One Direction

SIMON Cowell’s team have denied claims he has abandoned his new search for a boyband.

The music mogul has been holding auditions up and down the country in a bid to find the next One Direction.

The Sun first revealed his plans earlier this year, with Simon, 64, penning a huge deal with Netflix to document his search.

Simon has so far drafted in close pals including Justin Bieber’s favourite song-writer, producer Poo Bear, Louis Walsh and JLS singer Aston Merrygold to help the search.

Today insiders claimed that Simon had been struggling to find “stand out performers”.

They added: “His frustration is at the auditions where many of the singers turning up are cast-offs from bands that didn't make it.

“But perhaps more crucially, Simon has been told to come to terms with the fact that maybe the era of the chart-topping boyband is over. It is devastating for him.”

Simon’s team have hit back at the speculation however.

A spokesperson for Simon said: “This story, published in today's Mail on Sunday, is entirely fabricated.

“The journalist failed to adhere to basic journalism standards by neglecting to verify facts or seek comments from anyone involved.

“The claims made are false, and the quoted source appears to be completely invented.

“This project is primarily a search for a boyband, which is being documented.”

The spokesperson went on to add: “The article completely misrepresents how the music and documentary team views the audition process and the overall situation as far as the level of talent that the music team have found.”

They went on to clarify that the working title, Midas Touch, which was on release forms for contestants was no longer the name of the show.

Simon is continuing his search in London this weekend, with a number of budding singers hoping they can make the cut.

In March The Sun revealed how Simon had teamed up with Box To Box films, who made the slick Netflix show Formula 1: Drive To Survive, to create the new series.

A source said at the time: “Simon has signed a huge deal with Netflix to find the world’s next biggest boy band.

“He is working with the team behind Drive To Survive on the show and wanted to get it on a streamer because it fits the audience better.

“Simon knew The X Factor had grown tired so he wanted to do something that looked completely fresh and new.

“He is renowned for spotting talent and One Direction’s success came off the back of him putting them together.

“Simon wants to replicate this and find a group who can reach the heights One Direction did.

“Filming for the show has already started in the UK and he is so excited about what’s to come.”