Steve Jones has said he ‘isn’t allowed to speak’ about his time hosting The X Factor USA (Picture: John Shearer/ WireImage)
Steve Jones has admitted he ‘didn’t enjoy the experience’ of working on The X Factor USA.
The Welsh presenter, 47, has fronted programmes including The Pop Factory Awards with Liz Fuller, 99 Things To Do Before You Die and T4.
Then, in 2011, it was announced he would co-host the first season The X Factor in the United States alongside Nicole Scherzinger.
Although she was then cast as a judge, Steve presented the premiere season solo. But the following year he was axed.
At the time, the show’s creator Simon Cowell announced the series was set to face several changes for the second season, with Nicole and fellow judge Paula Abdul also cut.
Now, more than a decade on, Steve has spoken about the impact of working on that show before he was fired.
He presented the first season of the reality singing show in 2011 (Picture: Ray Mickshaw/ Fox via Getty Images)
‘I must admit, when I went to the States to present American X Factor in 2011, and that did not go well,’ he said.
‘I’m not allowed to speak about what happened. But I didn’t enjoy the experience.
‘And after it ended, I came back to Britain, and that was a difficult period,’ he added when speaking to Richard and Izzy Hammond on the latest episode of their Who Are We Now podcast.
However he, alongside Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul, were cut after season 1 (Picture: Empics Entertainment)
During the chat, Steve also explained the struggles he faced securing work when returning home to the UK.
‘And I get it. You know, to have to bend the knee, you’ve got to do a bit of crawling, because I’m like, “Bye bye, I’m going to America everyone!”. That wasn’t how I did it, but that’s how it looked,’ he continued.
‘And half the time, people didn’t even realise I was back. They’re like, “Oh man, I thought he moved to America?”. I’m like, “Yeah, but I’m back! And that was a three years ago!”.’
Soon after the Welsh presenter returned to the UK (Picture: Ken McKay/ ITV/ Shutterstock)
Despite what unfolded, in 2012 Steve said he didn’t hold it against the media mogul.
‘I have no hard feelings whatsoever towards Simon,’ he told The Sun.
‘It’s a tough business and anyone trying to get into it should always keep in mind that it can go t**s up in a heartbeat.’
Since his stint on The X Factor, Steve has gone on to present shows including Hair, Channel 4 F1 and This Morning.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.