Simon Cowell calls Demi Lovato 'bitchy and unpleasant'

London, Dec. 8 (ANI)

Simon Cowell has refused to confirm whether he will recruit Demi Lovato as a judge for next season of the 'X Factor' - branding her mean-spirited and "bitchy" at the same time.

The judging pair have been seen fighting week-after-week, and on Thursday night at a screening party the 53-year-old media mogul even accused the 'Camp Rock' star of dirty tactics.

"It's that time of year [when] you're always going to get asked that question, and I'm not going to answer it," the Daily Mail quoted him as telling People magazine after Thursday's show.

Cowell described Lovato as fun, but said things had got a "bitchy and unpleasant" in relation to her critique of his acts, Emblem3, Fifth Harmony.

He suggested that Lovato had been giving out bad advice to his contestants in a bid to save her own.

"It did get a bit bitchy and unpleasant," he said.

"I've got to look after my artists. Luckily, they didn't listen to her.

"She's fun... she really, really is a tough little thing. I know she plays the 'I've been bullied' [card] trust me, this one gives as good as she gets," he added.

--ANI