Generous Cowell is 'guardian angel' - Mar 19 2008
Simon Cowell turned his "Mr Nasty" image around and paid off the mortgage of a couple whose three-year-old daughter suffers from cancer.

The multi-millionaire was touched by her story when he appeared on the US TV chat show Oprah and declared he would be her "guardian angel" from now on.

Host Oprah Winfrey showed Cowell a clip of Amy Stoen and her husband, Randy, from Claremont, Minnesota, who were struggling financially after their three-year-old daughter Madelaine was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma.

The couple take it in turns to travel more than 100 miles from their home each day so the girl, who has started losing her hair, can receive treatment.

Cowell greeted the Stoens on the "Oprah" stage and told them he had written a cheque for 162,000 dollars (£80,000) to pay off their mortgage.

"It doesn't stop there," he said. "If there's any problem, I'm her guardian angel now."

Cowell sings American Idol praises - Dec 3 2007
The next series of American Idol will be the best ever, according to Simon Cowell.

"The talent is fresher," he told Extra. "This year, for me was about identities. It wasn’t enough to say you were a good singer. It was ’you’re different, you’ve got your own identity, you’re unique. And it’ll be the strongest 12 we’ve ever had and I’ve never said that before. This year, genuinely, it’s the strongest we’ve got."

This year’s TV talent contest was won by 17-year-old Jordin Sparks. Other Idol successes include Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

"The talent this year is as strong as Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood - all of them are very very strong," added Simon. "It’s equal between the guys and the girls."

And Simon’s fellow judge Paul Abdul was equally enthusiastic about next year’s contest.

"I’ve been telling people that this is a season that no-one’s going to want to miss," she said. "There are so many stars that, I think, when you get down to 12 possible contenders for record deals, it’s going to be unbelievable."


Simon planning ultimate talent show? - Nov 27 2007
Simon Cowell is reportedly putting together the biggest TV show in history.

The World’s Got Talent will see 25 talent show winners from around the globe battle it out for the title of "most talented person on the planet", reports The Sun.

To be broadcast next autumn and fronted by Ant and Dec, Simon - whose shows include X Factor - thinks the show could attract an audience of more than 200 million.

"We have been thinking about doing this for a long time," he told the paper.

"The planet has been crying out for a world talent competition."

Judges will include Simon and Piers Morgan on a panel of five who will offer their expert opinions on the contestants.

Britain’s Got Talent winner Paul Potts will compete for the UK - who triumphed this year with his performance of Nessun Dorma.

Cowell’s mum wants him to marry? - Oct 20 2007
Simon Cowell has built up a showbiz empire worth millions - but it seems all his mum wants is for him to settle down and have children.

Octogenarian Julie reportedly told the Daily Mail she hopes her 48-year-old son will marry his long-term girlfriend Terri Seymour.

"I wish he would settle down with Terri," the mother-of-five apparently admitted. "She’s a wonderful girl. She’s talented and she’s good for him.