American Idol judge Simon Cowell has spoken for the first time about eliminated singer Chris Golightly. Chris was disqualified from the show’s final 24 contestants this week, after a former contact claimed that he was still bound under the terms of an old management contract.

In a press conference today, Simon was asked about Chris and admitted:

I remember Chris’ first audition very well because Kara was completely and utterly besotted of him. I wasn’t quite so keen on him and the second time we saw him he wasn’t as strong. I really honestly don’t have a clue why he’s been removed from the competition. I’m guessing it’s some sort of technical reason. It’s a shame for him, he needed this opportunity.

However he revealed that he wouldn’t mind if Golightly decided to audition for his new X Factor series. He said:

If it was something like a technical reason, of course he could.

As Chris was reportedly told that he can’t reaudition for American Idol next year, the X Factor may actually be a valid option for him in 2011.