Simon Cowell has denied ever offering Sir Tom Jones a role on The X Factor.
The 71-year-old singing legend is appearing as a judge and mentor on the UK version of TV talent show The Voice, alongside Jessie J, will.i.am and The Script’s Danny O’Donoghue.
Tom claimed earlier this month that he had turned down offers for Simon’s rival reality series “several times”.
However, speaking at a press launch for Britain’s Got Talent, Simon slammed such reports.
"I think they better get their sense of humour back. It was intimated that I had offered Tom Jones a role on one of my shows. I met the guy once in Vegas. I think the offer he was thinking about was Opportunity Knocks, it wasn't one of my shows,” he quipped, according to British newspaper The Guardian.
"They are winding this up to try and be like it's a big kind of battle. It's not. The shows go out at the same time, may the best one win. In terms of credibility it's down to being good and being successful. I tell you what I am going to do, I am going to back my talent against their's this year, that's for sure."
The Voice and Britain’s Got Talent will partly clash when they debut on UK TV screens tomorrow. Simon is looking forward to the friendly rivalry.
“Of course I love competition but if you ask do we need another singing talent show I would query whether you do or not. In my opinion they don't like the fact The X Factor is successful,” he added.
"They have every right to compete with us and we have every right to arm ourselves so we are in a good place to beat them."
Meanwhile, Fergie has revealed she won’t be replacing Paula Abdul and Nicole Scherzinger on the US X Factor.
The Black Eyed Peas songstress says although there have been talks about her joining the TV talent show, she can’t commit to it on the right level.
“I have no idea how this keeps coming back, it's crazy!" she told MTV News of the rumours. "I know that my managers and agents have been in touch with the X Factor both last season and this season, but both times it's not the right time.
"I can't commit all the energy that these contestants deserve. This is their career, and right now, I've got different plants in my garden that are going on, and that's a really big tree that would take a lot of nurturing and energy. It's just not the right time right now."
Britney Spears has also been tipped to appear alongside Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid on the coveted judging panel.
