Simon Cowell has given his strongest suggestion yet that Steve Jones will be axed as host of The X Factor USA.

Welsh presenter Jones beat UK host Dermot O'Leary to the prized role on the show, which launched last year, but was criticised for his style and accent which veered wildly between his native Welsh and an adopted Californian twang.

Speaking to The Mirror, Simon Cowell has suggested that the next series of the US version of his show will not have Jones at the helm.

“He got a lot of stick. I don’t think he did a bad job but, like America’s Got Talent, there is a Brit limit on the show,” Cowell said damningly.

Earlier today we reported that Cowell is hoping to convince Cheryl Cole to return to The X Factor UK.