Kate Thornton has said she was left “humiliated” after Simon Cowell fired her from the X Factor.
The 47-year-old TV presenter has spoken out to claim that Simon has never fully explained why he sacked her and that it hurt more because she classed him as a “friend”.
The blonde bombshell was there by Simon’s side on the judging panel for the first two series of the popular ITV show.
She claims Simon, 60, didn’t give her the chance to resign and keep her dignity in 2006 after she heard rumours that she was being axed from the talent show.
Kate Thornton was sacked from the X Factor back in 2006 (Image: Getty Images Europe)
She told the In The Pink podcast: “They didn’t renew my contract having said that they would — and by they, I mean Simon.
“It was on the News at Ten. It was embarrassing, it was humiliating and it kind of burnt for a bit.
“It hurt more that someone I considered to be a friend hadn’t been up front with me.
Kate says she thought Simon was her friend (Image: FilmMagic)
“It’s tough and you develop the skin of a bloody rhino and I’m only grateful it happened in a time pre-social media otherwise I’m sure it would have hurt a lot more now.
“That would’ve really hurt.”
Kate continued by saying she doesn’t believe the music mogul would fire someone in the same way now.
Kate said she was ‘humiliated’ over the sacking
She continued: “It was a different time then.
“And I think we’re far more mindful and kind in the wake of… it was tragic what happened with Caroline [Flack], utterly tragic, and it’s not just her.
“In the first few months I felt burnt and humiliated.”
She added: “People were lovely but it was all anyone ever talked to me about.
“I’d go to Sainsbury’s and people would ask me if I was okay. After a while it’s so diminishing.”
Daily Star Online has contacted a representative of Simon Cowell for comment.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
