‘Whispering in Cheryl’s ear’: JB says Simon Cowell ended his marriage

They're famously flirty on The X Factor.

And despite a high-profile falling out back in 2011 over the US version of the hit reality TV talent show, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell are now once again thick as thieves. 

Indeed, the 33-year-old pop-starlet's estranged husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez Versini reckons the music mogul exercised a little too much control over her life – suggesting that Simon pushed a stressed Ms Cole to the limits last year.

A source close to Jean-Bernard told the Sun On Sunday today: “JB’s convinced Simon and X Factor played a big role in the end of his marriage.

“He says he watched Cheryl become extremely stressed by the gruelling X Factor filming process.

“He’d stand up for her when he felt people were pushing her to do too much.

“At the end of the 2014 series he said they came to a decision as a couple that she would not return.

“He claims work offers suddenly stalled and Cheryl felt she had no choice but to sign for another year.”

The source added that X Factor producers also didn't want the 35-year-old French businessman on set, explaining: “JB was upset by this as it meant they spent hardly any time together.

“He’s convinced Simon started whispering in Cheryl’s ear about him.”

Now it seems that 56-year-old Mr Cowell may have created something of a formidable nemesis; the source concluded: “It would give JB satisfaction if he could humiliate him.”

Ms Cole sparked concern among fans last year when she appeared to lose a significant amount of weight during X Factor filming. 

Of course, Cheryl is now happily in a relationship with One Direction's Liam Payne. For 2016, she has also decided not to return to her judge's chair, opting to concentrate on her music career instead.

In lieu, Simon has signed up Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh, and Nicole Scherzinger.