Simon Cowell

he has 2 nieces and a nephew, namely: Tanyette Chantel (born October 18, 1981), Melissa Lee (born July 10, 1984), and Joshua Aaron, (born April 15, 1986) all 3 of whom have appeared in the audience during various episodes of Pop Idol Season 1.

Made his screen debut in 1990, on the UK TV series 'Sale of the Century', his prize for winning - Kitchen Utensils.

Made his screen debut in 1990, on the UK TV series "Sale of the Century" (1989/II), his prize for winning - Kitchen Utensils.

Turned down the chance to manage Take That, who went on to become one of the major boy bands of the 1990s.

His father Eric Cowell was a record company executive with EMI. He died at home in 1999 of a massive heart attack on the very day that Simon got his first Number One with a then-unknown band called Westlife who his dad had predicted would become big.

Put up £50,000 bail money for pop impresario Jonathan King when he was arrested in 2001.

In 2007, he earned an estimated $72 million in income from his various projects. $45 million from "American Idol: The Search for a Superstar" (2002), $15 million from "Britain's Got Talent" (2007) and "The X Factor" (2004), and $12 million from his record label.

His former girlfriend is Terri Seymour.

During auditions for 'The X Factor', he made a bet with auditionee Paul Holt that he would pay him £50,000 if he got a #1 single. Holt was quickly signed by a record label - and backed by X Factor judge Sharon Osbourne - to release "50 Grand for Christmas" in December 2004, which only charted at #35 in the UK.

During auditions for "The X Factor" (2004), he made a bet with auditionee Paul Holt that he would pay him £50,000 if he got a #1 single. Holt was quickly signed by a record label - and backed by "The X Factor" (2004) judge Sharon Osbourne - to release "50 Grand for Christmas" in December 2004, which only charted at #35 in the UK.

His former girlfriend is Terri Seymour. [2004]

In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated his U.S. earnings at $45 million for the year.

In 2007, he earned an estimated $72 million in income from his various projects. $45 million from American Idol, $15 million from Britain's Got Talent and X Factor, and $12 million from his record label.

Ranked #6 in the 2008 Telegraph's list "the 100 most powerful people in British culture".

Ranked #6 in the 2008 Telegraph's list "the 100 most powerful people in British culture".

A TV commercial proposal was made to him by his agent who told him that he would be paid $1m for a day's work (the good news). When Cowell asked about the bad news, he was informed that the commercial was for "Viagra". Cowell reneged (interview: "Piers Morgan Tonight: Episode dated 5 April 2011" (2011)). [2010]

Merited a place in Time magazine's - The 100 Most Influential People in the World ("Artists" category) - with a tribute provided by Nick Cannon. [May 10, 2010]

Has said he finds Britney Spears to be fascinating and wants her to be a part of "The X Factor" (2011).