Simon Cowell has admitted that he didn’t expect Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony to split.

The X Factor boss – who reportedly tried to land the ‘On The Floor’ singer for his new American series – was shocked when the famous pair announced their marriage breakdown last week and during an interview with Extra he confessed that he didn’t see the breakup coming.

“I didn’t see it coming. They always seemed to get on. They would bicker, but everyone bickers,” Cowell said.

It has been claimed this week that Lopez had a trial separation from Anthony in 2008, after she found out about an affair he conducted with an air hostess. The pair are said to have subsequently attended marriage counselling in a bid to repair their relationship.

It has been reported that the future of new reality TV show Q!Viva The Chosen is now in doubt, as the former couple argue over who should drop out of the lineup.

It is expected that J-Lo will soon announce whether or not she will be returning to American Idol for the nest season, as filming at auditions will commence within the next two months.