"For him," Cowell says, grinning. "For him it’s a good deal."

Simon: Robbie and Britney must get a grip - Mar 6 2007
Simon Cowell is less than sympathetic when it comes to stars in rehab, it seems.

The acid-tongued X Factor star told the Daily Mirror: "It’s very fashionable to be in rehab. The whole thing is total indulgence, Britney and Robbie need to get a grip.

"We’ve allowed these people to feel sorry for themselves. I don’t know what’s going on in Britney’s head but my attitude is I couldn’t care less. She should go back and live with her mum for six months."

He thinks that stars in rehab should be shocked back to reality.

"I went to a deprived part of the world recently and saw a set of conditions that people live in that is really beyond belief," he added.

"It really opened my eyes. You can feel sorry for yourself over the smallest things but then you look at the world and think, ’You know what, I’ve got nothing to complain about’.

"So when I hear about Robbies and Britneys going into rehab, I think, ’I’ll tell you what rehab is. Go to where I just went, where people really are suffering and then you’ll see how good your life is’.

"I would make it compulsory that they have to go and live in a developing country for a couple of weeks. And then when you get home, as your butler is opening your curtains and making sure your bath water is the right temperature, you’ll realise everything is fine."

Record numbers watch American Idol - Jan 17 2007
The new series of American Idol has opened with record ratings of 37.3 million viewers.

The US show scored its highest ever debut audience.

Simon Cowell is back for the sixth series with fellow judges Paul Abdul and Randy Jackson.

Series five previously held the highest record with a debut night audience of 35 million.

The show’s creator Simon Fuller said: "American Idol continues to make entertainment history.

"Not only is it the biggest show in America, but it is also now the most popular format in the world.

"These amazing numbers from our season six premiere continue to defy all reasonable expectation. The show just keeps growing."

Fuller has sold the talent contest format to 42 different countries.

Last year’s American Idol contest was won by Taylor Hicks.

The viewing figures provide Fuller with yet another cause for celebration.

Last week he secured a £128 million deal for his client David Beckham to play for LA Galaxy.

Dylan is boring, says Simon - Jan 10 2007
Simon Cowell has taken a swipe at music legend Bob Dylan, saying his music "bores him to tears".

The music mogul, who is famed for his vicious put-downs to hapless wannabes on singing talent shows such as X Factor and its US equivalent, said he preferred American Idol winner Kelly Clarkson to 65-year-old Bob.

"If I had ten Dylans in the final of American Idol, we would not be getting 30 million viewers a week," Simon told Playboy magazine.