Britney Spears sweet as lemon, says Simon Cowell

London: Britney Spears is giving ‘The X-Factor’s’ harsh talking supremo Simon Cowell a run for his money in her new job as a judge for the US talent show.

The 52-year-old television producer has praised the 30-year-old singer for being strict while making decisions on contestants. “Britney is quite mean, which I think you will discover,” the Sun quoted him as saying. In fact, he joked, she is “as sweet as a lemon.” The ‘Toxic’ hitmaker signed on to the panel in May and was joined by former Disney Channel star Demi Lovato. Icy remarks that are aimed at the hopefuls by her include: “You can’t destroy that song, sweetie”, “predictable” and “I want to know who let you on the stage”. “They are harder to please than me or (fourth judge Antonio ‘L.A.’ Reid),” Cowell told Calgary Herald. “They are very happy giving people a ‘no.’ They definitely have their own opinions,” he added. Spears said that she was “just a very honest person” who was eager to help young singers on their way in the music business that has given her a 15-year career as one of the world’s biggest pop stars. “I have done eight tours and I have been in the music industry for a while, and I think being able to give back is really interesting,” she said. ANI