Simon Cowell has admitted that the X Factor musical started off in a venue that was too big.

The ill-fated I Can't Sing!, which was penned by Harry Hill, announced it was due to close after only months on stage at London's Palladium theatre.

X Factor supremo Cowell told Digital Spy that he thinks the embarrassing u-turn was down to having the show open in a venue that was too large.

He said: "We took a punt and it didn't work out. If I could do things different, I would have gone to local theatres and built up a following.

"We went in too big a theatre - it's the biggest theatre in the West End."

Speaking meanwhile about whether veteran judge Louis Walsh will return to the X Factor this year alongside Cheryl Cole and himself, Cowell added:

"I want him to come back. We work really well together. I couldn't imagine it [without him]."

Watch clips from the musical below: