Simon Cowell thanks fans for condolence wishes

Simon Cowell has thanked fans for their messages of condolences after the death of his mother earlier this week.

Simon returned to Twitter for the first time since the death of his mother Julie Brett on Sunday, thanking fans ahead of his return to work.

Cowell had been due to join Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw at the first auditions for the new series of The X Factor in Manchester on Monday.

Ahead of his return to work, the Syco boss thanked fans for their messages, writing: “My family lost someone very special on Sunday. My Mum. I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the kind messages received. Thank you. X”

Over the weekend, Simon’s brother Tony described their mother as the “heart and soul of our family”.

The new-look judging panel will be joined by presenting duo Olly Murs and Caroline Flack as filming gets underway tomorrow.