‘I have a thick skin’ Simon Cowell RESPONDS to his act’s criticism

After X Factor contestant, Emily Middlemas, sided with the three judges who criticised her Saturday night performance, fans of the aspiring star wondered how her mentor Simon Cowell would take the perceived criticism.

And thankfully for Emily, the music mogul has held his hands up and insisted that if he knew Emily wasn't happy with her chosen song for 'disco week', he would have given her the go-ahead to change it.

After performing Wishing On a Star, the teenager was told that her performance was somewhat lacklustre – a criticism which Emily readily agreed with, saying: "I really want to do something upbeat. I've just stood on the one spot."

Taking Emily's comments on board, Simon insisted that he felt no ill will towards his act, saying: "Listen, I have a thick skin."

"I want her to be successful so we have to work very closely tonight and tomorrow to find the song we'll be happy with," he said.

"The way the process works is we choose the songs on a Sunday night when we get the jukebox result," Simon explained.

"We sit down, come up with some ideas and then routine them. Often we will change the songs if people don't like them – which does happen a lot."

"I didn't know, and maybe I'm wrong, but I didn't know Emily didn't like the track. If she didn't like it, 100 million per cent I would have changed it," he confirmed.

A little more communication next time, guys…