Simon Cowell

Current Role

Simon Cowell is an A & R (artist and repertoire) executive for Sony BMG, but also has a successful TV career as a judge on Pop Idol, The X Factor, American Idol and Britain's Got Talent. His production company, Syco, is currently a producing ITV's new talent show Grease is the Word, in which a panel of judges, formed of David Gest, top theatre producer David Ian and West End star Sinitta, will search for unknowns to take on the roles of Sandy and Danny in the West End revival of Grease.

Early Life

Simon Cowell was born in Brighton and was brought up in Elstree, Hertfordshire. He was never very far away from the world of music, as his dad was an executive for EMI Music Publishing. Simon dropped out of school at seventeen, and did a few dead-end jobs until his dad got him a job in the mail room at EMI. This didn't work out, but he was soon re-hired as an A&R assistant and worked his way up to be a record producer. In the early 80's Simon left EMI to start his own label E&S Music, which folded within a year. In 1984, he met Pete Waterman, who would become his mentor. In 1985, Cowell formed his second company Fanfare Records, and enjoyed some success with his then girlfriend and singer Sinitta Malone.

Fanfare folded in 1989, leaving Cowell with no choice but to move back in with his parents with nothing but debts to show for his efforts. Later that year he started work for Sony BMG as an A&R consultant, where he was hugely successful, signing many big acts such as Westlife and 5ive.

Career Highlights

Simon's most recent success and the work that ultmiately made him a household name was as a host on the ITV talent show Pop Idol - where his biting comments and sarcastic wit proved popular with audiences. In 2004, he produced his own talent show for ITV, The X Factor, created under his production company, Syco. This show is a huge success and Simon is joined by Sharon Osborne and Louis Walsh on the judging panel.

Interesting Facts

• Simon allegedly spontaneously wrote a check for $19,000 for a Barbados animal refuge, whilst on holiday on the island
• Simon loves cars, Frank Sinatra and supports the PETA trust

Awards

• Sold over 150 million records during his time with BMG
• 2 BAFTAS for the X Factor
• Entertainment Show of the Year (NTA Awards) for the X Factor