Nicole Scherzinger slams Simon Cowell for 'playing dirty' on The X Factor

Nicole Scherzinger has accused Simon Cowell of "playing dirty" following his harsh criticism of U.K. The X Factor contestant Matt Terry.

Show favorite Matt was left reeling after music mogul Simon Cowell bashed his a cappella efforts when he put a unique spin on the traditional Christmas carol Silent Night for the semi-final of the British TV talent show last weekend (03-04Dec16).

However, Simon, who was hoping his act Emily Middlemas would make it to the final of the program this weekend (09-10Dec16), was not impressed, telling him: "I though it was nice. It was a bit predictable. It was a little bit, like having the sandwich without the butter."

Speaking to The Huffington Post UK, Nicole hit back - accusing Simon of being "tactical" in his comments.

"You know, he only had one contestant left, one act, and that was Emily, so obviously he’s going to fight for her, as he should," she said.

“But look, I mean, the only way you’re only ever going to get better and be truly great is to take anyone’s criticism and look at it constructively and say how can I grow from this."

Despite Simon playing dirty, Emily was voted off after the sing-off with Matt.

Thanks to her vast experience in the entertainment business, former Pussycat Doll Nicole knows how to handle the setbacks, and said Simon's criticism served as a wake-up call.

“Let’s take what Simon’s saying and say let’s get back to our roots. So, just ignore all the other cr*p that doesn’t serve you and help you," she said she told Matt ahead of his sing-off. “Then he got to kick it up another gear and find something within himself when he was up there singing for his life and saying no, I’m not going home.

“And I think when Matt was singing his 'save me' song, he stood in front of Simon, you guys didn’t see, on the ramp he hit a note and he stomped his foot, and Simon knew, alright this guy wants it and he deserves to go to the final.”