Simon Cowell: "I Regret Louis Walsh's Departure"  3/23/07

Music mogul Simon Cowell has slammed British TV bosses for their treatment of Louis Walsh's departure from talent show The X Factor.

The American Idol judge admits he regrets the axing of fellow The X Factor judge Walsh, and insists if the decision had been his, he would have spoken to the Irish music producer one on one.

He says, "Louis is, or was, a good friend. The only thing I regret now is I should have called him myself.

"Everyone thinks it was my decision. But that's disrespectful to the producers. If it had been my decision I would have told them directly. That's the way I am. I am frustrated and wish sometimes I could just show a tape of the meeting so people could know the truth."