Westlife have admitted they left Simon Cowell's Syco label earlier this year because they felt "unloved" by the media mogul.
The four-piece, who will split following their farewell tour next year, said they wouldn't have expected him to keep tabs on them while he became a celebrity himself.
Speaking to The Mirror, Nicky Burne said: "Leaving Syco was us trying to patch up cracks. We felt unloved because we were making albums with that particular label and we were having to make our own decisions.
"Simon was the best thing that ever happened to us, with Louis Walsh, in the beginning. Without Simon Cowell we wouldn't have had the career the way we've had it. He picked every single and it's the singles that make you successful. He's a very talented man at what he does."
He added: "But then Syco Music... that whole machine exploded for him in the States. I didn't think for one minute, 'Why is he gonna worry about little old Westlife when he's over in the States?'"
The group announced their departure from Syco in favour of a deal with Sony's RCA in March.
Westlife release their Greatest Hits set next week.
Westlife's Best Bits
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