(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Simon Cowell is happy that "rivalry" between judges on the new season of US X-Factor is virtually nonexistent.

British music mogul Simon, 51, is looking forward to the premiere of his latest project, America's version of The X-Factor, which will air this September.

Simon's fellow judges on the show include Paula Abdul, L.A. Reid and Nicole Scherzinger, and he admits there has been no major competition so far. He is so fond of his two female colleagues that he has decided to give them pet names.

"No rivalry [between us] whatsoever," said Simon. "You know we've got names for them nowSylvester the cat, and Tom from Tom and Jerry. Sylvester's Nicole and Tom is Paula."

Simon feels an inordinate amount of pressure to spot the best candidate out of the bunch whilst judging contestants on X-Factor. He gives the not-so-lucky contestants nicknames too.

"I mean, after all this effort, if you can't find a star then we're all mugs," said Simon. "There are certain contestants, mostly girls, when they come out we call them D.O.A.stoo young, too cute, too talented, literally dead on arrival!"

Simon also took the time to comment on the recent split of Jennifer Lopez and fellow singer Marc Anthony. Jennifer and Marc announced they were separating after seven years of marriage last Friday.

"I didn't see [Jennifer and Marc's separation] coming," said Simon to Extra. "They always seemed to get on. They would bicker, but everyone bickers." (C) Cover Media