Simon Cowell has admitted that he thought Cheryl Cole was one of the "most beautiful women" he had ever seen when she started working on the UK X Factor.

The Girls Aloud singer joined the judging panel on the TV talent show back in 2008 and she was noted for her camaraderie with Cowell.

Speaking to the Radio Times, the media mogul said that he and the X Factor crew were taken aback by Cole's beauty when she turned up for work. He said:

"I think my entire production stage - including a lot of gay people - were madly in love with Cheryl."

Cowell continued: "I mean literally, when she walked on set on the first day in the UK I thought that she was one of the most beautiful women I had ever seen in my life."

Cole left the UK X Factor in 2011 and has often been rumoured to return to the show.