He's back! Simon Cowell makes return on Britain's Got Talent - and gets ribbed by Ant and Dec over Cheryl Cole's X Factor sacking

Simon Cowell made his eagerly-anticipated return to Britain's Got Talent tonight for the first live semi-final - and instantly got teased by show hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly over the Cheryl Cole X Factor controversy.
Cowell took to the stage mere hours after it was confirmed that the Girls Aloud star would not be a judge on this year's UK X Factor after being sacked from the U.S. version too. 
And Dec couldn't resist having a pop at the show's head honcho over the treatment of fellow Geordie Cheryl, saying: 'Can you understand my accent Simon?' as he reclaimed his seat on the BGT judging panel alongside Michael McIntyre, Amanda Holden and David Hasselhoff.

Leader of the pack: Britain's Got Talent's head honcho Simon Cowell returned to the judging panel tonight for the first live semi-final - but got ribbed by hosts Ant and Dec over the Cheryl Cole X Factor controversy

Simon had made his grand entrance returning to the show wearing a light grey suit and a white shirt shirt unbutton to his chest, soundtracked by the Superman movie theme music to a standing ovation from his fellow judges.

However, Simon pretended not to realise that Dec was referring to the rumours that Cheryl was dropped because American audiences couldn't understand her accent, saying: 'Am I missing something here?'
Dec repeated his question as to whether or not Simon could understand his Geordie accent, but Simon sidestepped the question, announcing: 'Moving swiftly on...'

Cheeky: Simon gave Ant and Dec a very knowing look as he refused to be drawn on their jibe about Cheryl Cole's departure from the X Factor

Sign language: Declan Donnelly, (r) with co-host Ant McPartlin (l), referred to Cheryl Cole's dumping from the U.S. X Factor by asking Simon if he could understand his Geordie accent.

It was also claimed that Cowell was booed by the angry audience as soon as the warm-up man announced he was in the building.
A source told The Sun: 'The gossip before the show was all about Cheryl and Simon. People were reading The Sun and saying, 'Can you believe what he's done to poor Cheryl?'.

'As soon as the warm-up guy said, "Simon is in the building," everyone suddenly started booing. People were saying, "That's for Cheryl".'

Booed: Cowell was apparently booed by the audience over the Cheryl Cole controversy as the warm-up guy announced he was in the building

Simon, who has been away from the BGT judging panel while he concentrated on launching the X Factor in the States, was then asked by Ant and Dec whether he'd agreed with the decisions the judges had made in his absence. 
Happy to avoid talking further on the topic of Cheryl however, Simon visibly relaxed and said: 'I've put my absolute trust in these three to find a star.
'Some of the time, one or two decisions I wouldn't have made, but I am assured by Amanda that everyone's ready for the semi finals.'

Three become four: After weeks of judging on their own, David, Amanda and Michael were rejoined by Simon tonight as the competition reached the live semis

On with the show: Simon sidestepped Ant and Dec's joke and got to work with the rest of the panel to judge the first live semi-final of BGT tonight

Michael and Amanda meanwhile took the mickey out of Simon's dress sense - referring specifically to his plunging neckline.
Michael joked: 'I can't keep my eyes off his chest' while Amanda chipped in: 'And look at the competition, look at the Hoff's chest!'
Simon however didn't miss a beat and responded: 'And may I just say, look at your chest Amanda!'

Source: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz