Cowell described Cole's exit as less of a ''big deal as everybody thought.'' That was Thursday in New Jersey. - AP (File Photo)

NEWARK, New Jersey: At auditions before a live audience for ''The X Factor,'' Simon Cowell sounded like he wanted people to move on from the recent shakeup on the show's judges panel replacing British pop singer Cheryl Cole with American pop singer Nicole Scherzinger.

He described Cole's exit as less of a ''big deal as everybody thought.'' That was Thursday in New Jersey.

Earlier in the week, Fox and producers announced Scherzinger, who was originally signed on to co-host the show, would slide over to the judges table alongside Cowell, Paula Abdul and LA Reid.

Cowell said the show will not re-tape episodes already filmed that feature Cole.

Cowell left ''American Idol'' in May of 2010 after its ninth season. The US version of ''The X Factor'' will premiere on Fox in September.