Steps singer Claire Richards has responded to Simon Cowell after he poked fun at them on the X Factor.

The TV show made its return to UK screens this weekend as Cowell resumed his role as a judge on the popular programme.

However, at one point the supremo said he would like to form a pop group that were similar to Steps, but with more talented members.

Singer Richards later took Twitter to take a pop at Cowell, saying:

"'I'd like to find another Steps but with better people in it!!' What Simon!!!!! Maybe you should have signed us when you had the chance???!"

The Saturday (August 30) edition of the X Factor drew an audience of 9.5 million viewers, with a peak audience of 10.6 million.

2013’s launch show accrued 9.2 million viewers whilst 2012's opener pulled in an audience of 8.7 million.

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Watch Steps in their prime below: