Simon Cowell has expressed deep regret over how he, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan treated Susan Boyle during her now-legendary Britain's Got Talent audition in 2009.
The 66-year-old music mogul described the judging panel's behaviour as "awful and horrible" whilst appearing on the debut episode of Celebrity Trenches with Jamie East.
Mr Cowell acknowledged that watching the footage back makes him cringe, calling their reactions to the then-unknown Scottish singer "disgusting."
The talent show boss admitted the moment served as a significant lesson about making snap judgements based on appearance.
Simon Cowell pioneered The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent | PAMs Boyle, now 65, famously captivated the nation with her powerful performance of I Dreamed A Dream from Les Misérables, defying the low expectations evident on the judges' faces.
During the podcast interview, Mr Cowell reflected candidly on the infamous exchange of glances between himself and Morgan.
"I mean that look that Piers gives me, I think out of all the looks I've ever remembered that might be the worst. I was just as bad," he admitted.
The television executive revealed he had the power to remove the unflattering footage from the broadcast but chose not to.
Simon Cowell expressed regret over his treatment of Susan Boyle
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"Of course I had the ability to cut all of that stuff out but it was a bit of a wake up call. You can't judge a book by its cover," he explained.
Mr Cowell accepted full responsibility for the panel's conduct, stating: "We do look disgusting but you have to hold your hands up at that moment and go, 'A lot of people are going to realise in about 24 hours that we are just horrible.'"
Ms Boyle herself has spoken about the painful experience of that audition, revealing she felt like "an act in a freak show" when she stepped onto the stage.
The runner-up from the 2009 series told the Irish Mirror that the atmosphere left her feeling "suffocated" as audience members mocked her appearance.
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Susan Boyle shocked BGT judges in 2009
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"Everyone was laughing at me; they wondered who this daft woman with the crazy hair was... and I had made a bad choice in clothes, so no one had high expectations," she recalled.
Despite the initial hurt, Ms Boyle has maintained perspective on the experience. "It was incredibly difficult to come to terms with for a time, but the positives have far outweighed the negatives," she said.
Boyle ultimately proved her doubters spectacularly wrong, going on to build a career that has generated an estimated fortune of £30 million through worldwide performances and recordings.
The Scottish singer has become one of the most recognisable reality television contestants in history, transforming initial ridicule into lasting success.
Simon Cowell admitted he came across as 'horrible'
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Over the past year, she has embarked on a significant personal rebrand, focusing on improving her fitness and adopting a fresh look complete with a new blonde hairstyle.
Her social media presence has grown considerably, with 178,000 followers on Instagram where she shares photographs alongside celebrities including Sir Elton John, Peter Kay and Lionel Richie.
Ms Boyle has also launched her own merchandise range under the Subo brand, offering clothing and accessories priced between £13 and £50.