Washington, Feb 8 : Simon Cowell has revealed that he tried his level best to keep pal Paula Abdul alongside him on America's `The X Factor', when the negotiations kicked off at the start of this year.

But the music mogul Simon Cowell was over-ruled by TV executives.

Abdul was sacked from the line-up of the reality show last month (Jan12), along with fellow panel member Nicole Scherzinger and host Steve Jones, while Antonio `L. A.' Reid retained his place as a judge.

"I would've liked to have kept her. She was very gracious and I said that to her. She understands it's business; it's never personal," Contactmusic quoted Cowell as telling `Extra'.

Speaking about Scherzinger's departure, he said that she was `disappointed'.

"I don't think she's mad. I think she's disappointed," he added. (ANI)