‘X Factor’s’ Steve Jones: I’m A Friend To Nicole Scherzinger

Nicole Scherzinger might have recently split from boyfriend Lewis Hamilton, but according to “The X Factor” host Steve Jones, he and the judge/mentor are not an item – despite the online rumors.

The dashing Welshman stopped by Access Hollywood Live on Tuesday, where Billy Bush and Kit Hoover asked Steve if he was comforting Nicole following her breakup.

“I’m a friend, I’m there if she needs me,” he said, shooting down the idea of a romance with the former Pussycat Doll. “No, I’m not helping her through it.”

Adding, “I am single.”

As for the drama on the performance stage, Steve said viewers will notice a few changes in the coming “X Factor” shows – mainly more of himself and less control by Simon Cowell.

“Now that we’re in the live shows, all that is about to change,” he said when asked about Simon’s tight grip on the direction of the show. “That’s my house. It’s my show, I’m the host. Technically it’s my show.”

The 34-year-old host also noted that the show itself is constantly in flux.

“It’s so liquid, the show changes… we just don’t know what’s going to happen,” he explained. “It’s nuts, it just changes all the time.”

“The X Factor” returns on Wednesday at 8 PM on FOX.