Simon Fuller Hits Out Over Pop Idol Axing and The X Factor  2/6/06

American Idol mogul Simon Fuller has attacked a British TV network for axing the original UK version and replacing it with star judge Simon Cowell's own show.

Pop Idol survived just two seasons on ITV1 before bosses opted to let Cowell make his own talent show, The X Factor.

But Fuller, who has made millions from Pop Idol spin-off shows across the globe, including American Idol, insists Brit TV viewers are missing out. He points to American Idol's record viewing figures - the first episode of the new series was watched by a staggering 35.5 million people - as proof.

He says, "What they have lost is a global franchise. Instead they have a poor man's copy, with the rest of the world having the real deal. If all the parties were enlightened, Pop Idol would come back because it is a power house.

"It has become definitive. Other shows like it have come and gone. All the challengers have fallen in our wake."