Simon Cowell
- Profession: Music mogul
- Place/Date of Birth: Brighton, 07 October 2020
His real money-spinner is ownership of the syndication rights to American Idol though. The show, which is broadcast to over 100 nations, has been a breeding ground for stars like Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson.
The 47-year-old pop mogul was pipped to the post in the rich list by chat queen Oprah Winfrey, who remains top of the TV Guide magazine’s rich list with a whopping £130 million a year.
Simon’s smoking ’minders’ - July 16 2007
TV bosses have reportedly hired minders for Simon Cowell - to protect him while he has a cheeky cigarette during X Factor filming.
The 47-year-old music mogul, who apparently gets though two packs of cigarettes a day, is no longer allowed to light up in the X Factor studios because of the smoking ban - so he has to brave the general public on the street.
Now staff are on hand to escort Simon to a private smokers area, according the Daily Star.
A source told the paper: "He used to light up during the ad breaks on the X Factor. "That’s no longer allowed and you can’t even pop outside the studio."
He will have two minders to look after his needs, the paper claims.
"It’s just incredible that our highly paid stars have to stand outside the studio if they want a cigarette," the source added.
"It’s a real security nightmare. Anyone could have a pop at them."
Simon asks Louis to return? - June 16 2007
Simon Cowell has reportedly asked Louis Walsh to return to the judging panel on this year’s X Factor.
The music mogul offered his sparring partner £1 million to rejoin the show, after the pair cleared the air at Simon’s This Is Your Life show last month, according to The Sun.
A source told the paper: "They cleared the air after This Is Your Life. Simon rang Louis and said he felt he had made a mistake and offered him £1 million to come back. Louis wasn’t interested.
"Simon apologised and the pair have been on good terms since."
The pair always played Punch and Judy for the crowds on the X Factor but things turned ugly when Louis blamed Simon for giving him the sack from the show.
He said of the sacking: "I was axed from the X Factor, stabbed in the back. The buck stops with Simon. He hires and he fires."
Louis is now managing Any Dream Will Do winner Lee Mead, and lining him up a record deal at Polydor.
Simon to Quit Reality TV - June 8 2007
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Starting in 1979 with EMI Music Publishing, Cowell (42) got a taste for what the public wanted and it wasn’t long before he decided to take these qualities and put them to use for himself, setting up his own label, Fanfare, along with partner Iain Burton.
By 1989 BMG had offered Simon a position as A&R Consultant. It was a relationship which would prove to be hugely successful, profitable and enduring. Cowell has set-up his own label through BMG, S Records, reflecting the success and vision he has manifested.
Simon’s roster of signing reads like a who’s who of pop success stories over the last decade. Highlights include, Curiosity Killed The Cat, Sonia, and cornering the boy band market, bad boys of pop Five (who disbanded last year) and the global multi-platinum phenomenon, Westlife.
Always pop but never predictable, Simon has enjoyed some of his most successful signings by always keeping an eye firmly on the TV world, sensing a public following and always being the first knocking on the door. The Power Rangers, World Wrestling Federation, Zig & Zag and the Xmas Number 1 smash Teletubbies moved from the small box to the airwaves due to Simon, although, he claims his biggest shock success would come in the form of Robson & Jerome.
Making records and breaking them, in the last 10 years, Cowell has achieved sales of over 25 million albums, over 70 top 30 records and 17 number 1 singles.
Simon is currently a judge on the US version of Pop Idols and is busy looking after Will, Gareth and Sarah Watemore, who he signed to BMG after the show.
October 2007