Simon Cowell says Cheryl’s ranting ex Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini made throat-slitting gesture to him during X Factor bust-up, and denies he’s to blame for marriage split
'Screaming' Jean-Bernard never came back to recordings after the row
SIMON Cowell says Cheryl’s estranged husband made a throat-slitting gesture at him during an X Factor bust-up.
The row led to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini missing further recordings of the show.
In a bombshell interview, Cowell said: “He was screaming, he put his hand across his neck at me.”
The French playboy took the threatening action toward Simon after he criticised one of Cheryl’s acts at a live show.
Simon said: “There was one night where his behaviour was out of order.
“She had an act in the bottom two or something.
“He was up on his feet.”
Simon, 56, then demonstrated how Jean-Bernard, 35, took his finger and ran it across his own throat while staring him down.
The Syco chief then decided the time had come to take action and hold crunch talks with Cheryl, 33, about her husband’s behaviour.
He said: “I went, ‘Hang on a minute, this is a competition, it is not my fault’.
“I said to Cheryl it might be better if he doesn’t come down and watches it at home and jumps on as many sofas as he wants.”
The conversation resulted in JB no longer attending X Factor filming.
A show source revealed: “Everyone was stunned by JB’s behaviour, especially him deciding to make a throat-slitting gesture at Simon who was just doing his job.
“This took place near the end of the 2014 series after Simon had chosen to send Cheryl’s act Lauren Platt home over Louis Walsh’s boy band Stereo Kicks.
“It was very threatening behaviour and a huge overreaction given the judges are there to make those choices.
“He was never back at X Factor which is for the best.”
Everyone was stunned by JB’s behaviour, especially him deciding to make a throat-slitting gesture at Simon who was just doing his job
X Factor source
We told last week how JB blames Simon for the end of his marriage, after he pressured Cheryl to return to The X Factor in 2015 after quitting the year before.
She and JB are finalising their divorce, with him gagged from talking publicly about their secrets.
Cheryl has issued a 27-point divorce petition but JB has hit back with a 28-point counter claim.
She cites his unreasonable behaviour and jealousy but he insists she stopped him forging his own business career.
JB is also thought to be claiming that Cheryl began her affair with Liam two months before they announced their separation.
A source said: “JB has come back with his version and made an extra point.”
A legal representative for Jean-Bernard tonight denied he had made the throat-slitting gesture.
Simon also blasted claims "nonsence" claims that he was responsible for the breakdown of their marriage, after the French playboy blames him for the destroying their troubled union.
And he has also suggested his estranged wife’s stress was caused by making the hit ITV series.
But in an exclusive interview, Simon said: “Their marriage breakdown had nothing to do with me — that’s complete nonsense.
“You don’t blame the show (X Factor) for the breakdown of the marriage.
"Me and him have certainly never had a conversation about it, I can assure you of that.”
Simon, 56, does concede Cheryl, 33, was not in the greatest place during filming last year as the X Factor struggled with a new judging line-up, featuring Nick Grimshaw and Rita Ora.
He admits: “It was stressful last year I think, unnecessarily stressful.
“You make a series and the public don’t agree with what you have done and you just live with that the whole series. That does put pressure on you.
“Cheryl probably picked up on that a bit and with the marriage breaking down at the same time, it is not an ideal place when you are on live TV every week.”
In a veiled dig at JB, Simon says he has seen a huge turnaround in Cheryl since she started a serious relationship with One Direction heart-throb Liam Payne.
They spent the night catching up at Cowell’s summer party earlier this month.
He says: “She looked great I thought at the party, the best I have seen her in a long time.
“Body language was good and she looked healthy.
“She is on good form but I think she misses working with me if I am being honest with you.”
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I revealed recently that Cheryl has even been thinking about starting a family with Liam, who is a decade her junior at 22.
That is certainly something that new dad Simon endorses.
He says: “I don’t know about him but she would be an amazing mum.
“I have seen her with my son Eric and other kids over the years and she is incredible, she is very good with them.
“I think she is in a good place in her life right now.
“Cheryl is very closed to a lot of people, but once you get behind that she is great fun and has a great sense of humour and is an unbelievably loyal girl.
“I really like her and I just want her to be happy.”
I’m Simon’s guest in Hollywood as he makes his triumphant live return as the entertainment king of US TV on America’s Got Talent after three years away.
His comeback alongside fellow judges Mel B and Heidi Klum has seen ratings soar to a record high of 15million viewers a week.
Simon’s return has helped AGT buck the trend of falling viewership, in what TV insiders are dubbing “the Cowell effect”.
But it is real fulfilment in his personal life that has made the biggest difference for Simon — in the form of girlfriend Lauren Silverman and two-year-old son Eric.
Along with politics, along with religion, marriage fits into that as well. I’ve learnt it’s never a good idea to discuss
Simon Cowell
Lauren is celebrating her 39th birthday when we first meet behind the scenes of AGT at Hollywood’s legendary Dolby Theatre.
And Simon is devastated she did not receive the flowers he sent to her earlier in the day.
I tease that it is not a bunch of flowers Lauren really wants.
Simon raises his eyebrows and replies: “What are you inferring?
“I got her a nice piece of jewellery — a necklace, darling.”
As ever with Simon, it is an unconventional celebration as he is also joined backstage by his ex Terri Seymour, 41, a member of his famous female harem.
Simon’s close pals, including many of his exes, agree his surprise relationship with Lauren — she was the wife of a close friend — and even more surprising arrival of Eric have transformed him.
So what about the prospect of a ring, I push?
He smiles awkwardly then says: “Along with politics, along with religion, marriage fits into that as well.
“I’ve learnt it’s never a good idea to discuss.”
Simon is prepared to admit for the first time that he struggled in the early days as father to Eric.
He says: “I genuinely didn’t know what it was going to be like to be a dad.
“The first seven or eight months dealing with a baby, you just don’t know what to do.
“And then suddenly one day everything changes.
“It’s the most incredible thing.”
Now he’s coping with a toddler version of Mr Nasty.
Simon explains: “They turn into you.
“I’m now seeing him as me as a kid.
“All the stunts I used to pull.
“I always say to him, ‘Eric you’re talking to me.
“I’ve been there.
“I know all these tricks’.
“But he is funny and he has a good sense of humour.”
Simon’s workload has increased again now he balances the US talent show alongside X Factor, BGT and his Syco music business.
I’m now seeing him as me as a kid. All the stunts I used to pull
Simon Cowell
But he says: “My dad worked long hours as well so I got into a routine where I didn’t see him as much as other kids saw their dads.
“It didn’t matter because I understood early on he worked longer.
“But we had this incredible relationship all throughout and as I got older.”
And despite the huge privileges that come with his wealth and his fame, Simon is determined not to raise a Hollywood brat.
He says: “With Eric everything’s about perspective. He’s well balanced, he’s not spoilt.
"I’ve taught him how to share, which is important.
“He says please and thank you.
“Someone said to me the other day, ‘He’s such a polite little boy’. I’m proud of that.
“My mum and dad taught me the same thing.
“You just want them to be happy at the end of the day.
“That’s the most important thing — just have a happy childhood, not too much pressure.
“That’s what I’m trying for.”
No Brex Factor
BRITAIN’S Got Talent will not exclude European acts despite Brexit, Simon Cowell has revealed.
Speaking for the first time publicly on the topic, Cowell says of EU hopefuls: “They will still be welcome.
“Any part of the world, they can come on our show. We will not be going Brexit on BGT.”
Pro-Remain Cowell added: “That is what democracy is all about. Thank God we live in a country where we can give people the vote.”
However, Simon is concerned about the UK becoming isolated. He says: “You saw this map of England with Scotland and Northern Ireland gone and we are the size of a pea.”
Cowell, a David Cameron fan, has not met new PM Theresa May but believes she is “sincere”. Will she help or hinder the TV tycoon’s chances of becoming Sir Simon?
Clearly agitated at his lack of a knighthood so far, he responded: “I don’t know what it is judged on. I certainly don’t do what I do to get it. I pay my taxes. It is their call.”