OMG it’s been a bloodbath over at Fox this week!

When we heard rumours yesterday that the TV network were axing three of last year’s big X Factor stars we were sure at least one of the reports would be unfounded, but this afternoon it has been confirmed that both female judges – Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul – along with host Steve Jones, have been unceremoniously dumped.

Paula confessed in a statement that while it was not her choice to go, she does understand ‘that business decisions often times override personal considerations’ and insists that she and Simon Cowell are still close pals, adding:

‘Simon is, and will remain a dear friend of mine and I’ve treasured my experience working on The X Factor USA.’

Steve Jones, as earlier reported confirmed the news on Twitter, saying that he has no hard feelings and had a ‘great time’ working on the show last year. We doubt he’s telling the truth though, because surely no one could like being slagged off that much!

Nicole Scherzinger had previously been keeping quiet about rumours that she had also finished on The X Factor, however today her spokesperson also confirmed the reports and issued a statement, which read:

”Nicole is leaving The X Factor USA to work on her music. Nicole spoke to Simon Cowell and he has given her his blessing.”

The brunette beauty later tweeted:

“Looking forward to an exciting year ahead and making great music and more! I’m grateful for the love you always give me.”

Simon Cowell seems upset over the decision and particularly over the departure of his former American Idol buddy Paula. He said:

”Paula in particular, is a very close friend and I expect to be working with her on another project in the near future.”

As used as we are to Simon’s huge and shocking gestures, here at unreality TV we do have to confess to being a little surprised by the axing of Abdul. While we would have been shocked had Steve been allowed to stay, and agree that Nicole was hardly an inspiring judge last year, we were sure that Paula was the Louis Walsh of America and would last on The X Factor until the whole show was cancelled by Fox.

That she didn’t is perhaps an indication of the fact that Simon doesn’t have the same influence over Fox that he does with British TV network ITV and can’t call the shots quite so decisively. This will be especially true after The X Factor failed to deliver with it’s ratings and instead of the 20 million people per episode that Cowell wanted to pull in, by the end of the first season the show had averaged just 11 million.

Will you miss Paula, Nicole or Steve on The X Factor? Who would you like to see replacing the stars? Leave your comments below.