Simon Cowell thinks the new 'American Idol' panel cannot compete with the original

Speaking to Extra, he said: "I genuinely don't care. Look, in my time, I will tell you the real story on what really happened there and it is an interesting story.

"You can't recreate what we had before, you know, it was me and it was Paula and Randy and Ryan and it was an amazing chemistry there. When I hear all this talk about casting judges, I have to be honest with you, I think this is where they have it wrong – it doesn't matter about the judges, it is about the contestants and that is why everything has gone the wrong way right now. You know when we cast 'Idol', it was done so quickly but the only thing that mattered was, 'Do you have the right people to help you find the stars?'"

Earlier this week, Luke confirmed he and Lionel Richie will complete the judging panel on the upcoming season of 'American Idol'.

The country singer and the 'Hello' hitmaker had been linked to the ABC revival of the hit Fox talent competition as judges alongside previously announced Katy, and Luke confirmed the news in an Instagram video.

In the video, the 'Kick the Dust Up' singer said: "Hey everybody it's Luke Bryan here, greetings from a hay field in Kansas. I'm so excited and proud to announce that I will be one of the three judges on ABC's 'American Idol'. I will be joined with the beautiful Miss Katy Perry, and my hero Mr Lionel Richie, and my fellow Georgia boy Ryan Seacrest.

"Can't wait to see you guys, can't wait to be a part of the show, and I'm so excited to see all the talent out there that America has. Make sure you guys stay tuned, we'll be blowing up our socials, and it's going to be an exciting year. I'm so honoured, and we're going to have some fun."

And Luke captioned the clip: "It's official. Ready for @americanidol. (sic)"