Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell is set to join forces with Spice Girl icon Mel B and Jonas Brother singer Joe Jonas for a brand new show called Who’s In The Band, and a pilot will be recorded next week

One of Simon Cowell’s new projects has been described as “a big two fingers up to ITV“.

The music mogul, 66, has linked up with Netflix for Simon Cowell: The Next Act, a six-episode docuseries which will follow Simon as he searches for Britain’s next big band. He is also going to be on the judging panel of new show Who’s In The Band, which records a pilot next week.

Spice Girl icon Mel B and Jonas Brother singer Joe Jonas will work alongside Simon for the latter, which ex-TV presenter turned producer Richard Bacon says will be popular with teenagers and young adults.

But the Netflix series, Simon Cowell: The Next Act, has particularly excited the TV industry. It is believed Netflix executives “felt bringing a name like Simon in for a factual entertainment show was a power move for the network”. Another source said the programme will be “a big two fingers up to ITV” after the cancellation of The X Factor in 2021.

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But a source close to Simon, who created the global X Factor franchise, has denied there is “a rivalry”. They added: “There’s no rivalry nor residual issue – Simon’s focus is entirely on new formats and discovering talent.”

The X Factor, though, was scrapped after nearly 20 years on British TV screens and, at its peak, attracted 10 million viewers on a Saturday evening. It was the launching pad for a number of top-selling British music acts in the last two decades, from One Direction to Little Mix and Leona Lewis.

But Simon, who is thought to be worth £475million, continues to work with ITV on Britain’s Got Talent, which is still a staple after more than 18 years. His latest ventures, though, on other networks have television circles excited, it is understood.

The source told the Daily Mail: “Success on Netflix would be priceless retribution against ITV for the way The X Factor came to a close.” This theory is rejected by Simon, born in Lambeth, south London, whose new show Who’s In The Band will be presented by K-Pop Demon Hunters star Rei Ami, 30.

READ MORE: Amanda Holden brands Simon Cowell ‘evil’ as she shares real reason behind his head injury

Simon’s latest search for talent comes after the Britain’s Got Talent auditions was sent into chaos when he fell down another set of steps, making it the latest in a series of mishaps for the long-time judge.

He missed the first two days of filming in Birmingham after the incident, leaving producers to call in Stacey Solomon to temporarily fill his place on the panel. The star then later reappeared on the third day of auditions with a visible graze on his forehead, explaining only that he’d had “an accident.”

His absence was finally addressed during the show’s Blackpool auditions, when a choir made up of ambulance staff took to the stage. Amanda Holden joked: “I thought they might be here in case anything went wrong with you again because you were poorly last week.”

Music mogul Simon Cowell has finally explained his recent Britain’s Got Talent absence, revealing he suffered a fall that left him with a head injury

Simon Cowell has revealed that his recent no-show at Britain’s Got Talent auditions came after he fell down another set of steps – the latest in a series of mishaps for the long-time judge.

The 66-year-old music mogul missed the first two days of filming in Birmingham after the incident, leaving producers to call in Stacey Solomon to temporarily fill his place on the panel.

Cowell then later reappeared on the third day of auditions with a visible graze on his forehead, explaining only that he’d had “an accident.”

His absence was finally addressed during the show’s Blackpool auditions, when a choir made up of ambulance staff took to the stage. Amanda Holden joked: “I thought they might be here in case anything went wrong with you again because you were poorly last week.”

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Laughing off the comment, Cowell clarified what actually had happened as he finally shared the truth.

Speaking to the audience at the Winter Gardens, he said: “I fell down some steps, that wasn’t poorly, and I bumped my head, but I’m fine now.

“I wish you had been around a couple of weeks ago when I actually bashed my head. Seriously, no one sang for me then,” he added.

A show insider said the fall was a minor accident. They told The Sun: “Simon bumped his head when he stumbled on some steps. It’s the sort of thing that can happen to anyone. And, thankfully, he’s absolutely fine now.”

The timing of the incident, which occurred on October 1 and just a day before Birmingham auditions were due to begin, forced the show to cancel the opening session.

Rather than pause production entirely, Stacey Solomon was drafted in to maintain the four-judge panel, with Amanda Holden briefly stepping up as head judge.

Cowell later reassured fans via a short video, showing off the mark on his forehead and saying: “It’s Simon, I’m alive and I’m in Birmingham, I just want to say thank you for all your get well messages.”

It’s not the first time Cowell has been injured in a fall. In 2017, he was taken from his London home on a stretcher wearing a neck brace after tumbling down stairs just before The X Factor live shows.

Three years later, he broke his back testing an electric bike in Los Angeles, requiring major surgery and months of recovery.

Despite his latest setback, Cowell appeared in good spirits this week as he joined judges Amanda Holden, KSI, and Alesha Dixon on the red carpet for the Blackpool auditions.

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BRAVE Amanda Holden takes to the Britain’s Got Talent red carpet wearing the top that almost saw her flash the show’s audience at auditions.

But an onlooker said the 54-year-old “was being much more careful this time round.”

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Show judge Amanda — in a lop-sided strapless top — nearly exposed herself by lifting her left arm to wave at the crowd as she strutted on stage at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool on Saturday.

After adjusting her clothes to preserve her modesty she sat down.

Then, gesturing to her boob, she admitted: “This keeps slipping out every time I raise my arms.”

Yesterday The Sun revealed a small production team were quickly put on “nipple watch” to ensure there were no surprise appearances during filming of the ITV ­talent contest.

Undeterred, Amanda wore the strapless top again.

Our observer reported: “She waved with her left hand, where her top had more coverage than on the right-hand side, and kept her other hand firmly in her pocket most of the time.

“Amanda didn’t want any wardrobe malfunctions again. She was probably already feeling the chill in blustery Blackpool.”

Also dressed for sunnier climes was head judge Simon Cowell in shades, and fellow panellist Alesha Dixon wearing sunglasses and a crop-top.

Only hosts Ant and Dec and new judge KSI — taking over from Bruno Tonioli — looked ready for Lancashire weather.

Auditions for the 19th series of BGT, due to air next year, continue in the seaside town until the end of this week.

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BRITAIN’S Got Talent star, Dave Betton, who was praised by Simon Cowell after performing with his son has died, aged 82.

Betton had appeared on the show alongside his son Dean in 2020, reaching its latter stages after impressing the judges.

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The father-son duo had left them stunned throughout and at one point received a standing ovation for rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “That’s Life”.

Simon Cowell said at the time: “There are certain days I think what I need is a mug of hot chocolate – and you were a mug of hot chocolate!

“You made me feel good, I needed that.”

Betton, from Chesterfield, worked as a club singer after moving to Blackpool in 1981 with his wife after she bought the Dorchester Hotel.

Throughout the 1970s, 80s and 90s he performed at clubs up and down the coast on the local circuit.

He went on to perform on tour in Australia and South Africa and even had a stint in Las Vegas, achieving a personal ambition of his.

Following the death of his wife, he had retired 15 years ago.

His son, Dean, had also carved out a career as a Robbie Williams tribute act and it was his idea that they should go on Britain’s Got Talent where they were billed as Dave and Dean.

“I always looked up to my Dad and he inspired me to take up singing, quite late in the game,” Dean said.

“He was definitely a local legend in his time – he would pack out clubs.”

Dave sadly passed away last month from sepsis after a short illness and was surrounded by his family.

His funeral will take place on Monday, October 27 at Carleton Crematorium.

He leaves two sons, five grandchildren, five great grandchildren, two step-grandchildren and a step great granddaughter.

More to follow… For the latest news on this story keep checking back at The Sun Online

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Comedian and TV star Paul O’Grady was set to be the host of Britain’s Got Talent and even have the show named after him until things got very heated behind the scenes

Former Britain’s Got Talent judge Piers Morgan has revealed Paul O’Grady was meant to be the host for the hit talent show, until things went very wrong. The controversial broadcaster was part of the original line up on Simon Cowell’s talent show back in 2007.

Music mogul Simon was inspired by former talent shows including Opportunity Knocks and New Faces as he wanted to create a competition for people of any age and location to enter. He wanted a range of personalities on the judging panel with him, and first settled on Piers and Fern Britton.

Simon set his sights on comedian Paul as host and even planned to name the show, Paul O’Grady’s Got Talent. He met with Piers for lunch in Kensington, London to get him on board.

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Piers admitted: “I owe him a lot actually because I would not have had any career in America without him. He has been great for me. He said ‘I am going to bring back an old all-round talent show like New Faces, Opportunity Knocks and The Gong Show in America. It can be any talent’.”

The broadcaster explained: “We did a pilot at ITV. Paul O’Grady was the host. The judging panel was Simon Cowell, me, and Fern Britton. It was about to be greenlit as a prime-time ITV show.”

Piers said he was ready “to get back in the game” but things quickly took a turn and the production was halted. He said: “Then Paul O’Grady had a massive falling out with ITV, told them to shove it and went to Channel 4.”

At the time, the Paul O’Grady Show moved over to Channel 4 and ITV stopped him being able to rent their studios. Paul decided to refuse all work with the network following the row.

He explained years later: “I did the pilot for Britain’s Got Talent – which was originally going to be called Paul O’Grady’s Got Talent. But I told the producers they were having a joke if they thought I would front a show with that title.

“The original panel of judges was going to be Simon Cowell, Fern Britton and Piers Morgan. I was the host. Then when I had the row with ITV I was banned from the studios.

“I remember I rang Simon and told him he had a huge hit on his hands, but there was no way I could do it. I said, if I am banned I have to be banned from everything. I can’t be a hypocrite and come in and do this. I had to bow out.”

Paul added: “I don’t regret what I did. Not in the slightest. Good luck to them.” He did also manage to patch things up with ITV and returned years later with Paul O’Grady Live!.

Paul’s decision to boycott ITV meant Britain’s Got Talent was hit with a huge delay and Simon decided to kick off with America’s Got Talent first. Simon enlisted Piers again as he wanted “someone who is judgmental, opinionated, obnoxious and arrogant” as him.

Britain’s Got Talent hit screens a year later with Simon, Piers and Amanda Holden as judges and Ant and Dec as hosts. Piers said on The Overlap and Betfair’s Stick to Cricket show: “He had literally come up with the entire concept of Got Talent on a napkin at the Ivy in Kensington.

“Bring back a talent show. Have a tough mean judge, a mother hen figure, a funny person and any talent goes. Now the Got Talent franchise is in more than 60 countries around the world. It changed my life.”

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Contestants that missed out on the chance to audition for Britain’s Got Talent over the past week may soon have their moment on the stage as bosses are planning to film the lost episode

Britain’s Got Talent has been thrown into chaos after show boss Simon Cowell suffered an injury – with a scramble now on to make up for lost time. The long-running ITV reality show is currently filming the 19th season – having launched all the way back in 2007.

But the latest season got off to a bad start over the past week – as auditions planned for Thursday had to be abandoned after Simon, 65, suffered a bash to the head. Hopefuls that were expecting to be judged in Birmingham were left disappointed when an entire day of filming was scrapped.

And now show bosses are scrambling to recover the episode so that the auditionees can have their moment on the stage. The process is said to be a strain due to the last minute nature of organising filming that would normally take weeks of planning.

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A source told The Sun: “It looks like they will hold the supplementary session on Friday, then continue with the scheduled days of auditions continuing for a further week. They feel so bad for all the people left disappointed by what happened last week and want to do what they can to make things right – even though it’s going to take a lot of last-minute organising.”

The Mirror has contacted representatives of Britain’s Got Talent for comment. The update comes days after Simon was spotted with a graze on his forehead, and it was revealed he had injured himself. A source previously told The Sun: “Simon had a terrible headache and migraine – caused by an accidental bump on the head.

“He’s fighting fit now, though – and was revelling in being in Birmingham and back in his judge seat.” The Mirror has contacted Simon’s spokesperson for comment.

The man himself has addressed the drama, sharing a video of himself on social media which made light of his injury. He declared in a video shared via Instagram: “It’s Simon, I’m alive and I’m in Birmingham, I just want to say thank you for all your get well messages.”

He then focused the camera on his grazed forehead, but then produced a happy smile. As he was forced to drop out of filming at the end of last week, former X Factor contestant Stacey Solomon was parachuted in to fill the vacant judges’ seat during auditions on Friday.

The mum-of-five, 35, took to her Instagram stories to post a picture of the iconic BGT stage with her name in lights on the iconic stage. Alongside the picture, Stacey wrote: “What in the alternative universe is going on. A dream.”

Simon has previously opened up about the debilitating migraines he occasionally suffers, which interfere with his work.

He previously explained that he often wears red-tinted glasses to help counter the effects of studio and stage lighting.

The star, who turns 66 on Tuesday, has suffered a string of injuries in recent years. In 2020, he broke his back after falling off an electric bike at his Los Angeles home – an accident that required surgery and months of recovery.

Cowell, who is engaged to Lauren Silverman and father to 11-year-old Eric, described the injury as a harsh reminder of his vulnerability at the time.

In 2017, he also suffered a serious head injury after falling down the stairs at his London residence. At the time, he said: “Sometimes we get a reminder that we’re not invincible, and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock.

“They think I fainted because I had low blood pressure and so I have got to really take good care of myself to sort that out. After all I am a dad and have more responsibility than ever,” he told his fans at the time.

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Amanda Holden has stepped up on Britain’s Got Talent after Simon Cowell’s illness forced him to miss the Birmingham auditions, with Stacey Solomon drafted in as a temporary replacement on the panel

Amanda Holden has been handed the role of head judge on Britain’s Got Talent after Simon Cowell was forced to withdraw from the Birmingham auditions due to illness.

Producers turned to Holden, 53, as the natural choice to lead the panel, given that she is the only judge who has remained on the show since its launch in 2007. Although Stacey Solomon was drafted in at short notice to replace Cowell during this week’s auditions at the Hippodrome, insiders stressed that Holden had earned the senior role.

A source revealed: “The producers were hugely grateful to Stacey for stepping in, particularly as it was at such short notice. What she did helped ensure the hundreds of audience members were not disappointed.

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“But they also thought she shouldn’t just go straight into Simon’s seat as head judge and that Amanda had very much earned that right. And she seamlessly filled the role during the first batch of auditions on Friday, with Stacey slotting right in with fellow judges KSI and Alesha Dixon,” they told The Sun.

It is not the first time Cowell’s sudden departure has led to a reshuffle. When the music mogul left the panel last year after learning of the tragic death of former One Direction star Liam Payne, the then-newcomer Bruno Tonioli stepped in as head judge.

Tonioli has since departed from the programme altogether, replaced this year by KSI, after filming clashes with his role on Dancing with the Stars. Cowell’s absence was first confirmed on Thursday when production cancelled the initial day of auditions.

There were hopes he might recover quickly enough to return on Friday, but he remained unwell. Instead, Solomon took his seat on the panel – a full-circle moment given that Cowell himself auditioned her on The X Factor back in 2009. She finished third in that series but has since become a well-known TV presenter.

And Stacey has shared her excitement after her dream of becoming a judge on Britain’s Got Talent has come true. The Sort Your Life Out star took to Instagram on Friday to share a glimpse of the iconic set of the long-running ITV show after she was asked to step in as a guest judge last minute.

The mum-of-five, 35, took to her Instagram stories to post a picture of the iconic BGT stage with her name in lights. Instead of Simon Cowell’s name, Stacey’s name could be seen on the iconic stage. Alongside the picture, Stacey wrote: “What in the alternative universe is going on. A dream.”

Cowell’s condition has not been disclosed publicly, and it remains uncertain whether he will be fit enough to appear on the third and final day of Birmingham auditions.

Filming is scheduled to resume next week in Blackpool, with producers optimistic that Cowell will be well enough to reclaim his place at the judging desk.

Until then, Holden is firmly established as the figure leading the panel in his absence.

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MANY of us have been guilty of sneaking a glance at something we shouldn’t – but these unfortunate celebs were caught in the act.

This week Judge Rob Rinder was snapped copping an eyeful of Liz Hurley‘s cleavage at the National Television Awards.

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The TV presenter, 47, posed beside the actress, 60 – both of whom star in Channel 4’s new reality show The Inheritance – on the red carpet at the glitzy event.

Later on during the ceremony Rob – who was married to Seth Cumming from 2013 to 2018 – cracked a joke about her daringly low-cut dress.

While the duo presented the gong for Best Reality Competition, he couldn’t resist another look before telling Liz: “How marvellous it is that you are defying Newton’s Law of Physics. Well done to you!”

The Good Morning Britain star’s cheeky comment went down well, with the audience erupting into laughter.

Here we reveal the other brazen celebs who only had their own breast intentions at heart…

Morning peak

Outspoken Piers Morgan was caught sneaking a peek down Susanna Reid‘s top while presenting GMB back in 2016.

The presenter was admiring her purple dress, which had a cheeky slit down the front.

Piers quickly realised he’d put his foot in it, admitting: “I was just admiring my co-presenter.

“The camera caught me at a difficult moment… I looked over and looked down and before I knew it…”

He wasn’t the only person to appreciate Susanna’s low cut dress that day, with many viewers praising how she looked.

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Billionaire blunder

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Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, 40, landed himself in hot water when he was caught staring at fellow tech billionaire Jeff Bezos‘s fiancée’s chest.

The married social media magnate was snapped ogling Lauren Sanchez at President Trump’s inauguration in January this year – while her partner, 61, was stood right next to her.

Lauren, 55, hit headlines for her racy outfit at the swearing in, and it was later revealed her lingerie-style top was a $1,800 Alexander McQueen satin-trimmed bustier.

Mark – who wed Priscilla Chan, 40, in 2012 – raised more eyebrows less than 24 hours later when he ‘liked’ a photo of Lauren’s cleavage on her Instagram.

Fans were quick to mock the Meta founder, with one asking: “Will Zuck lose his Amazon Prime membership?”

Wedding leer

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While making a guest appearance on Good Morning Britain for the ‘wedding’ of Love Island stars Jessica Shears, 32, and Dom Lever, 34, telly host Jeremy Kyle was caught gawping at the bride’s breasts.

Given Jess was wearing a bikini for the live ceremony in 2018, her ample assets were on full display.

Viewers were quick to call him out, with one tweeting: “Jezza kopping a quick gorp at Jess’s t**s (sic).”

Another wrote: “Jeremy Kyle was staring at Jess’s boobs and it was disturbing.”

Jeremy, 60, had recently proposed to Vicky Burton, the former nanny of his kids, who he married in 2021.

Phwoar-lando

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Before Orlando Bloom, 48, and Katy Perry, 40, went their separate ways, the Lord of the Rings actor was caught with a wandering eye.

In September last year he was papped admiring Kim Kardashian‘s ample behind despite having his hand on fiancée Katy’s waist.

Fans were quick to criticise Orlando’s barely concealed stare at Kim, with one joking: “Maybe this is why they have been engaged for so long.”

Katy and Orlando went their separate ways in July this year, shortly after he was spotted having a cosy reunion with Kim at Jeff Bezos’ wedding.

Amanda’s Got Talent

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Simon Cowell, 65, clearly thought his Britain’s Got Talent co-host had talent(s) when he accompanied her to the British Academy Television Awards in 2010.

Amanda Holden, 54, had opted for a strapless gown, and Simon – who was at the time engaged to make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy, 52 – couldn’t resist a glance at her bust.

The music mogul’s unfortunate moment was caught on camera – from multiple angles.

Though Amanda’s silver and white gown was fairly tame compared to the daring outfits she worn in more recent years.

Ola there!

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Dancer James Jordan, 47, was caught having a good look at Lisa Snowden‘s bosom – in a snap captured by his own wife.

The former Strictly Come Dancing professional was cosying up to the telly presenter, 53, at a bash in 2017.

Ola, 42, shared the photo of James gawping at Lisa’s chest on her Instagram story, captioned: “It’s my lovely Lisa Snowdon,” alongside a winking face.

The trio met after Lisa appeared on Strictly back in 2008 when she was partnered with Brendan Cole, 49.

Lady love

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It’s not just the famous blokes who appreciate the female form – in these amusing shots TV host Ellen DeGeneres, 67, was caught having a good inspection of Katy Perry’s boobs.

The women were at the Grammy Awards in 2013 when the talk show host was pictured ogling the I Kissed A Girl singer.

Standing arm in arm with her wife Portia de Rossi, 52, Ellen wasn’t shy about sharing her admiration.

Portia appeared to be find her spouse’s antics hilarious, while Ellen tweeted the photo with a birthday message for Katy captioned: “Happy birthday, @KatyPerry! It’s time to bring out the big balloons!”

It didn’t go down too well with fans, with some accusing Ellen of double standards, pointing out if it was a man who made the joke it would be seen as sexist.

Tucci close for comfort

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Anne Hathaway and Stanley Tucci became close while co-starring in The Devil Wears Prada back in 2006.

During filming Anne revealed that her co-star – then married to his now ex-wife Kate Tucci – had become obsessed with her breasts, and he was even spotted having a sly look down her plunging black dress while promoting the film.

Anne joked that Stanley kept elbowing her in the boobs, leading him to reportedly joke that she should stop “flinging those melons around like it’s harvest season”.

The joke doesn’t seem to have bothered either party as they’ve remained bosom buddies and are currently filming The Devil Wears Prada 2.

YOUTUBE star KSI has been announced as Bruno Tonioli’s replacement on Britain’s Got Talent – after Simon Cowell got advice from an unlikely source.

The head judge turned to his 11-year-old son Eric for advice about who should take over from the professional dancer who had to quit due to filming clashes with Dancing With The Stars in the US.

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Music mogul Simon was then convinced to give guest judge KSI, 32, a permanent spot on the panel by his little boy who’s a huge fan of the influencer.

A TV insider told The Sun: “Simon’s been friends with Bruno for over 35 years and loved working with him on BGT.

“It was really tough knowing he had to let Bruno go because they couldn’t get the filming dates to work out with his commitments on Dancing with the Stars.

“Simon is always looking for new ways to keep the show evolving and loves to get the opinion of his young son.

“Eric was a big influence for Simon in choosing Bruno’s replacement. He’s obsessed with him and adores him, KSI is Eric’s favourite influencer.

“Plus, he’s been such a hit as a guest judge and Simon recognises they need to keep the show different by moving forward to keep attracting the younger audience.

“Bruno was popular with the grannies, but KSI is for the youngsters.

“KSI has a huge social media presence and Simon knows how important it is to keep the show more modern.”

KSI also showed he had a real gift for spotting talent because it was his live show golden buzzer act, Harry Moulding, who was crowned winner of BGT, bagging the £250,000 cash prize and a place performing at the Royal Variety Performance.

After being confirmed as the new full-time judge, music artist and boxer KSI said: “I’m so grateful and happy to be a part of the Britain’s Got Talent team for another season.

“I had such a good time last year and I can’t wait to see some more top talent.

“I’m full of energy, ready to go, and can’t wait to make this the most entertaining BGT season ever. Let’s do this.”

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SIMON Cowell makes a surprise cameo in tonight’s penultimate episode of Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

The brutal Channel 4 series welcomed another 14 famous faces to tackle intense Special Forces training.

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Along the way, celebrities have quit, been axed and – last week in the case of boxer Conor Benn – medically withdrawn.

Tonight, the remaining five recruits tackled one of their toughest challenges yet, before having their mental strength tested by having the option to receive calls from loved ones.

While Adam Collard receives his from fiancee Laura Woods, singer Lucy Spraggan is seen taking two calls.

And the first is from her X Factor boss, Simon.

The 65-year-old appears on a video call to Lucy, who had appeared on The Factor in 2012, sitting outside in a sprawling garden.

“How’s my little trooper?” he asks, causing Lucy to chuckle.

She tells him: “It’s been a lot rougher than I anticipated. Simon, it’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

Never one to mince his words, he replies: “You do look tired, I’m not going to lie.”

Lucy then quickly fills him on some of the challenges she’s faced, adding: “It’s not a joke Simon. It’s so, so real.

“Like, you know when you said you might think about doing it if I didn’t find it hard? You would not be doing it.”

As she laughs, she adds: “Although I would pay such money to see you do it!”

Simon replies with a chuckle: “Just imagine it was me, and how long I would last.”

The pair have remained close in the years that followed Lucy being on The X Factor, and he even walked her down the aisle at her wedding to wife Emilia Smith earlier this year.

Lucy previously told The Sun: “He read a poem at our ceremony, which was cute, and he said to me, ‘I love seeing you this happy’.” 

The newlyweds regularly stay with Simon and his partner Lauren Silverman at their homes in LA and the Cotswolds.

But Lucy admitted: “I speak to Lauren all the time, but Simon hasn’t got a phone so I speak to him when she’s on the phone!”

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Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4, with all episodes available to plus members on Channel4.com.

The tiny chocolate box village of Great Tew in Oxfordshire has just 156 residents and is served by one pub and a small cafe – but A-listers are moving in in their droves

Welcome to Britain’s Beverly Hills – where the hum of private jets fills the air and a single sausage roll will set you back £8.

The tiny chocolate box village of Great Tew in Oxfordshire has just 156 residents and is served by one pub and a small cafe. But in recent years, famous names have arrived in their droves, with everyone from the Beckhams and Simon Cowell to US chat show host Ellen DeGeneres calling it home.

And hundreds descended on the local church last month to watch the late tech billionaire Steve Jobs’ daughter Eve, 27, wed Olympic showjumper Harry Charles, 26. The newfound popularity of Great Tew – which has more thatched cottages per square mile than anywhere else in the country – has sent house prices skyrocketing, with a simple three-bed in the OX7 postcode now fetching at least £2.5million.

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Villagers reckon celebrities are drawn to the peace and quiet, but fear the parish will buckle under the strain. One says: “We’re overrun. People come here to celebrity spot. We’ve gone from being a place virtually nobody’s heard of to one of the UK’s most sought after. It’s pretty unbelievable when you think about it.”

It hasn’t always been this way. In the 1970s, many of the cottages lay derelict. One historian described it as “one of the most depressing sites in the country” and coachloads of people would visit to get a glimpse of the abandoned village that time had forgotten.

But things changed in 2015, when exclusive private members’ club Soho Farmhouse pitched up on the outskirts. The venue hosted Meghan Markle’s hen do in 2018. The £2,500-a-year club, which offers everything from surfboard yoga sessions to a Japanese grill house serving seared fish salads, quickly became the go-to weekend escape for the well-to-do.

A year later, David Beckham, 50, and wife Victoria, 51, nabbed the neighbouring barn conversion, which boasts a pool, football pitch and outdoor kitchen, for £6.15m. They were quickly followed by Simon Cowell, 65, and his fiancée Lauren Silverman, 48, who, locals say, have got stuck into village life.

One resident reveals: “Simon rides an electric bicycle. He’s a creature of habit and rides around the village each day on his set route before picking up a latte and smoothie from Quince and Clover.”

A small coffee at that cafe-cum-delicatessen costs £4, while ice creams start at £6.50 and smoothies at £7.95. Eggs and avocado on toast is priced at £17.50, a salt-beef bap is £16.95, and a sausage roll – albeit one adorned with fennel and sunflower seeds – comes in at £8.

Prices at the Falkland Arms pub next door – the go-to watering hole for the Soho Farmhouse set – are more modest, with cocktails starting at £8.45. Many of the rich and famous arrive in helicopters and private jets, landing at nearby Enstone Airfield before being ferried to the pub in one of the club’s electric Porsches.

Ellen DeGeneres is another local – and the 43-acre pad she bought there is on the market for £22.5m. The US TV host, 67, and her wife Portia de Rossi, 52, paid £15m in 2019 and, according to the estate agent, have transformed the converted barn into “an enchanting and secluded rural retreat”. There is a gym and pool, and the potential to turn the helicopter hangar into a tennis or padel court.

There wasn’t, however, enough room for Portia’s beloved horses, so they moved nearby. Great Tew is smack bang in the middle of the so-called Cotswolds’ golden triangle, sandwiched between the affluent market towns of Chipping Norton and Burford. Former PM Boris Johnson, 61, and his wife Carrie, 37, live in the nearby village of Brightwell-cum-Sotwell and 65-year-old Jeremy Clarkson’s Diddly Squat Farm is a 15-minute drive away. And US Vice President JD Vance, 41, is reportedly spending his summer in a sprawling manor house a stone’s throw away.

Simon Cowell is searching for ‘the next global boy band sensation’ in a new Netflix show set to air later this year – and it’s thought a girl band follow up won’t be too far behind

Simon Cowell is reportedly set to front new TV talent shows to find the next big girl and boy bands.

The music mogul is already thought to have wrapped filming on a new Netflix show called Simon Cowell: The Next Act, which will follow the 65-year-old record producer as he tries to find “the next global boy band sensation”.

In the past he has helped launch the careers of huge boy bands like One Direction and Westlife and is hoping to replicate this success again in 2025. The six episode series will air on the streaming giant in December, though it doesn’t have a confirmed date yet.

And it’s reported Simon will follow this up with another brand new talent show – this time to find the next big girl band. While on The X Factor, he catapulted Little Mix to fame and is said to be hoping to find the next budding female pop stars to turn into a global success.

A source told The Sun: “There’s a huge amount of excitement around the boyband search show dropping on Netflix, which is expected to drop later this year. So it makes sense to consider a sequel with a similar concept but looking for the female equivalent.

“And if anyone can do it, it’s Simon. After all, through One Direction and Little Mix, he helped deliver two of the biggest pop acts of the last two decades.”

The follow up is not thought to have been commissioned just yet, as Netflix is said to be unlikely to seal the deal on a second series before the first has aired later this year. But it is thought that Simon has it in the bag. The Mirror has approached Simon’s reps for comment.

It comes after Simon recently revealed why he wears rose-tinted glasses on set – and it isn’t a fashion statement. The Britain’s Got Talent judge shared: “I just found out according to the internet, I have a ‘mystery illness.”

He told fans on Instagram: “For anyone concerned, I missed two auditions at the end of one day, two weeks ago, because I do get migraines after long days in the filming lights. PS. This is why I wear these glasses!” So let’s hope Simon didn’t have to endure too many bright lights filming his latest TV show.

Headaches and migraines are frequently mixed up, but migraines specifically describe intense, pulsating pain often concentrated on one side. Typically, this pain can persist anywhere from two hours up to three days.

Some people endure migraines multiple times a week, whereas others encounter them less often. Further symptoms may include fatigue, food cravings, mood swings, and increased urination, although these tend to decrease in severity with age. The exact cause of migraines remains uncertain, but known triggers include anxiety, menstruation, unhealthy eating habits, and excessive caffeine intake.

TV Doctor Dawn Harper explained: “Migraines classically are one-sided headaches often associated with nausea, quite often actually make you sick. Usually, people feel they have to just lie down in a darkened room.

“They don’t like the lights and they feel, they really are severe headaches, which last for several hours. And then some poor folk will last for two or three days. A migraine can be very frightening.”

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