Simon Cowell hit with backlash after admitting one major 'regret' over One Direction

Music mogul Simon Cowell revealed his biggest source of frustration over One Direction, whom he signed to his Syco label in 2013, was not retaining the rights over the band's name. His comments sparked a savage backlash from fans, who insisted the Mr Nasty persona he earned in his X-Factor days is still alive and kicking.

The controversial comments aired during Simon's interview with entrepreneur and The Diary of a CEO podcast Steven Bartlett. "One thing I regret is I should have kept the name - I didn't own the name," he lamented with a smirk.

Hinting that Zayn Malik's decision to go solo in 2015 could have hampered a reunion for the other four in the group, he explained: "If one of the band members says they don't wanna tour for whatever reason, it can stop the others touring. However, he added: "If it was me who owned the name, it wouldn't be a problem."

He then pointed out that he could also have profited from spin-off ventures if he'd had the rights to it. "That's the problem, I could have made animation or whatever - but when you give an artist the name, it's not yours, and that's my only regret," he declared.

Then, turning to the camera and bursting into laughter, the Britain's Got Talent judge addressed the boys personally. "If you're listening, I'll buy it back from you!" He quipped.

However, his desire to profit from the group, which had comprised of Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson, Harry Styles and Zayn Malik - didn't go down well with some fans.

When the clip from the podcast was shared on TikTok, one follower accused: "Simon Cowell saw those boys as walking money bags and nothing more."

Another saw red as they quizzed: "His only regret is not being able to exploit the [band] for years after they last recorded any material together?"

A third was sceptical, writing: "I just dont buy Simon Cowell's PR strategy to project a softer and more caring public image. Not one little bit."

They added: "Haven't forgotten how he humiliated people on national TV for years."

In his X-Factor days, Simon was renowned for his brutally honest straight-talking digs about musical acts he didn't rate.

However, he later revealed that, since welcoming son Eric, who is now ten, he has toned down his criticism.

"There’s no question: when you actually have a kid, it does make you feel different because you understand how you would feel if it was your son up there," he explained.

However, during a BGT audition earlier this year, little Eric frankly told the act that he "didn't really like" the first part of a song.

Amanda Holden could scarcely stifle her amusement as she turned to the crowd, joking: "He's a chip off the old block!"

Check out the full interview with Simon on The Diary of a CEO Podcast here, or follow in Simon's footsteps at the famous London music-themed hotel he's rumoured to love.