Vinnie Jones claims Simon Cowell has "gone soft" compared to his earlier days as 'The X Factor' judge.

Vinnie Jones

Vinnie Jones

The 54-year-old actor wants the music mogul's famous 'Mr. Nasty' persona to return during his judging on 'The X Factor: Celebrity' this Saturday (26.10.19).

He told The Sun newspaper: "He needs a bit of toughening up. He needs some tattoos around his neck, or a tattooed arm, that's what he needs.

"And I know just the man ... me."

Vinnie is hoping his antics on the talent show might be enough for Simon to give him a spot on the panel in one of his shows, such as 'Britain's Got Talent' or 'America's Got Talent'.

On Saturday night's (19.10.19) 'The X Factor: Celebrity', it was revealed Vinnie would be fast-tracked to the live shows, after Dermot O'Leary told viewers he didn't compete in the auditions stage at Simon Cowell's Malibu beach house because his wife had died a few days previously.

During a phone call with Simon, which aired on Saturday's show, Vinnie said: "Well Tan's pushed me really, Simon. We knew it was all going on, and I put it to the family and Tan was very excited about it."

Tanya - who battled two cases of cervical cancer before being diagnosed with malignant melanoma - died aged 53 in July.

Vinnie has vowed to donate any 'The X Factor: Celebrity' winnings to the hospitals that cared for his late wife.

The former footballer tweeted: "I've decided any proceeds of a record contract from X-factor will go to Harefield hospital and Cedars Sinai.

"NOW im ready to Rock n Roll @TheXFactor #CelebrityXFactor. (sic)"