X Factor: Cheryl and Simon Cowell at loggerheads over age limit for young contestants

Music mogul Cowell and singer Cheryl disagreed over a 14-year-old boy who the Crazy Stupid Love singer believes should be focusing on his exams

You're the limit: Cowell and Cheryl have argued over the age of X Factor contestants

Simon Cowell and Cheryl have rowed over the age of X Factor entrants.

The singer feels 14-year-olds are too young while Cowell wants to include them after cutting the age limit from 16.

Cheryl broke ranks with fellow judges Cowell, Louis Walsh and former Spice Girl Mel B after rejecting a 14-year-old boy during auditions at Wembley Arena.

The 31-year-old said: “I don’t think a 14-year-old needs that pressure on his shoulders. He’s got to do his GCSEs.”

Cowell, 54, then added: “In Cheryl’s opinion anyone under the age of 16 shouldn’t be on this show.”

It is not the first time there has been dispute about contestants’ ages. In 2011, Gary Barlow and Robbie Williams questioned the 16-year-old age limit. Barlow refused to put Luke Lucas, 16, forward after he struggled with a performance.

The last time under-16s competed was in 2008. Then the 14-year-old Liam Payne was sent home by Cowell, only to return two years later to form One Direction.

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A show source said music mogul Cowell and Cheryl – now Mrs Fernandez-Versini after her July wedding to Jean-Bernard – were at odds over the right age limit on Friday.

The insider added: “Cheryl thinks the most important thing for a 14-year-old to do is their schoolwork.

“Simon knows there is a lot of young talent and wants to widen the net.

“He is conscious that younger singers need to be relaxed and not have too much pressure on them.”

The new X Factor series will air on ITV later this month. A show spokesman said: “The welfare of all contestants is our number one priority. We have stringent procedures in place relating to young contestants who take part.”