'X Factor' judges Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul have an obvious love-hate relationship. They are always seated next to one another on the show's panel, which make you wonder if they are playing footsie underneath. They are constantly at each other's throats. They bicker incessantly. The tension between them is so thick you could chop it with a machete. But is it that kinda of tension? Oh you bet, if you ask Cowell.

When chatting with Barbara Walters on her much-lauded special where she profiled the 10 Most Fascinating People, Cowell, 52, revealed that he and Abdul, 49, have come pretty darn close to doing the deed.

Cpwell said, "I considered it, but then I thought, 'I don't think the after would be as good as the before." He joked, "I'd let her stay for a few hours, but then it would have to be good night." Simon, you devil.

He also said that Abdul "a million percent" was hoping that the two would engage in a little something something between the sheets.

Now, mind you, Simon Cowell is a cheeky Brit with a delicious and sly sense of humor, so he could have been saying all of this stuff just to get a rise out of Abbul.

Cowell also said that he and Abdul didn't like each other when they started out as judges on 'American Idol.' He said, "The truth was, on the first two seasons, we couldn't travel on the same plane together. We really disliked each other that much. I think it was the sexual tension on her part."

Again, we're thinking that Simon Cowell made these statements in order to ruffle Abdul's feathers. We don't deny that there is sexual tension – watch an ep of 'X Factor' and you'll see all sorts of evidence and proof of that fact. However, it's likely not as one-sided as Cowell is making it out to be here.

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