United Kingdom, Sept. 17 -- Simon Cowell thinks he's become soft as a talent-show judge.

The 65-year-old music mogul has starred on a variety of TV talent shows - including The X Factor and America's Got Talent - for more than 20 years, and Simon admits that he's become less harsh on the contestants in recent times.

Asked if he's grown soft, Simon told Us Weekly: "I probably have. I would say also that the acts got better, to be fair.

"I mean, when we were first doing this, some of the acts that we saw were just terrible, and I don't know if I'd say it quite the same way, but I would certainly say to them if they were as bad again, 'You're terrible.' I can't lie to people."

Simon has been impressed by the level of talent on the latest...