Simon Cowell 'Going to Miss' LA Reid on X FACTOR

The X Factor's official U.S. Twitter account announced today judge Simon Cowell's feelings on LA Reid's departure from the show.

"On a personal level, I'm going to miss @LA_Reid. On a business level, I'm also going to miss him," Cowell said at a press conference this afternoon.

This is the first instance that Cowell has discussed Reid's exit from the show since the news was announced on December 13.

Epic Records mogul Reid, who has held a position on the judges panel since the Fox series launched last year, reportedly wants to return to his first love of scouting for talent, and helping shape the careers of up and coming artists.

Reid was the only judge from season one to be rehired for the second season. Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger were replaced with Britney Spears and Demi Lovato. No word yet on if Spears and Lovato will also return or not.

This season, Reid was in charge of acting as a mentor to the 25-and-over contestants. His last mentee, country singer Tate Stevens, is a frontrunner to win next week's finale.

THE X FACTOR was created by Syco Television and is produced by Syco Television and FremantleMedia North America. Rob Wade and Nigel Hall are executive producers for Syco Television. Trish Kinane, Richard Holloway and Andrew Llinares serve as executive producers for FremantleMedia North America. "Like" THE X FACTOR on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheXFactorUSA. Follow the series on Twitter @TheXFactorUSA and join the discussion at #xfactor.

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