The music mogul had to miss part of the audition process after being laid low with flu, with X Factor judge Louis Walsh standing in.

Holden said: "We were a little bit more generous - we put things through he probably wouldn't like to see on the show."

During an interview with ITV1's This Morning, she was asked if they did it to annoy him and replied: "Of course."

Holden said Kevin Cruise, who impressed the judges with his ship-themed song-and-dance routine, was one of her favourite acts.

"He was very funny, very camp and actually really talented. We put him through - and Simon was there," she said.

She also loved Chandi the dancing dog and thinks the pooch could top last year's impressive hound, Gin.

Cowell has already talked about how he would love to see a talented dog win this year's show. However, Holden doubted the world will ever see a repeat of the overnight success and fame of singer Susan Boyle.

"The Susan Boyle thing we have to put to one side," she said.

"I don't think it will ever happen again, worldwide. I just don't think it will happen."