Simon Cowell has carried out a major cull on the American version of the X Factor.

The music mogul has fired Nicole Scherzinger, Paula Abdul and Welsh host Steve Jones.

Cowell had personally recruited Abdul after she left American Idol and TMZ has reported that she got her marching orders from a lawyer connected to the show and has yet to hear from her ex-boss Cowell.

It has also been reported that the SYCO boss has yet to find replacements for the axed cast members.