Simon Cowell reignited his war of words with Steve Brookstein this morning and the former X Factor winner has taken to Twitter to defend himself against his former boss’s claims.

The music mogul was appearing at a charity event earlier this week and when asked who the worst person he ever worked with was, he named Brookstein and called him ‘ungrateful.’ You can read more of his comments here.

Dad of one Steve was mentored by Cowell himself when he won the first ever series of Cowell’s ITV talent show and he triumphed on the final night, despite a feud breaking out between he and judge Sharon Osbourne during the later stages of the competition.

Simon was glad to take the glory at the time and after signing Steve to his record label SYCO, pushed him to release his winners single – “Against All Odds” – and debut album, “Heart and Soul”. However, just months later Brookstein was dropped and later claimed that bad blood arose between him and the TV boss, when he refused to record a second bland album, full of covers and songs that meant nothing to him.

After reading that Simon was still b*tching about him in today’s Sun newspaper, Steve took his right to reply on Twitter and told his followers:

There was a time when I would go into a depression reading negative stories about me. Now I just laugh uncontrollably and my eye twitches.

He added:

@SimonCowell if turning down the advances of your sloppy seconds on Final night makes me “ungrateful” then sobeit.

@SimonCowell if turning down the chance to record a second album of covers makes me “ungrateful” sobeit.

The 43 year singer continued:

The Sun propaganda is wearing thin. People see the lies and Twitter allows me a voice.

“He’s horrible, ungrateful and selfish” says the 52 yr old bachelor who admits no woman would have him. Why’s that I wonder? #SimonCowell

Simon has not yet responded to Steve’s remarks and if we are honest we doubt he ever will. However, it seems wrong that someone as famous and ridiculously rich as he is, should constantly be putting down and trying to damage the career of a talented singer, just because they disagreed on his musical direction almost a decade ago.

Alexandra Burke, Leon Jackson, Joe McElderry….all former X Factor winners who were dropped by Simon yet he never takes the time to slate them in the press. Perhaps Steve’s only real crime was the fact that he dared to disagree with the mighty narcissistic one. What do you think? Leave your comments below.