Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am has revealed that Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole will be irreplaceable on the UK X Factor.

The pair announced last week that they would be leaving the judging panel of the X Factor and are rumoured to be taking up new roles on the US version of the show.

"I don't think there is much doubt that Simon and Cheryl are the main two guys. Simon is the glue that holds everything together and people love to watch him, and Cheryl is like a queen in the UK. They are both irreplaceable. I am sure their replacements on the show are going to be big names and, to be honest, they will have to be," Will.i.am told The Sun.

He added: "Cheryl has had the last three winners. I don't think there is another female out there who can do what she does on the show."

Meanwhile, X Factor winner Shayne Ward has been dropped from Simon Cowell's record label Syco.

(by Holly Frith)