Simon Cowell couldn't help but squirm as he was reminded of his first TV appearance more than 20 years ago. In a rare appearance, the music mogul appeared on This Morning on Wednesday (December 14) to chat to hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O'Leary.
But he wasn't alone as he was joined by former X Factor contestant Lucy Spraggan who is teamed up with Simon for her latest music projects. However, there was obviously another reunion from the days of the ITV singing competition as Dermot referred to Simon as 'boss' from his hosting day on the hit show.
While it was clearly a very friendly reunion, Alison and Dermot couldn't help but make Simon cringe as they reminded hime of his first TV appearance being a judge on This Morning - way before the likes of The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent - when the daytime show was looking for new music talent in 1999.
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As the hosts teased what was to come, Simon lent his head back on the famous sofa and repeatedly said 'no'. Then as the clip aired, he watched in horror with his head in his hands. "Oh no… " he managed to say as Alison asked: "Was that a bit embarrassing?" The 63-year-old replied: "Just a bit! I’ve gone very red."
But This Morning viewers couldn't help but comment on his change in appearance as he sparked a flurry of messages on social media. @AnnaliseChapman tweeted: "Simon seems like a different bloke, what is happening, does he sound different or is that just me? #ThisMorning."
@karlfun88 said: "So shady of #ThisMorning to show footage of what Simon Cowell used to look like while they have him on the couch." @BigBurnald asked: "Errrrmmmmm who is this person pretending to be Simon Cowell??! #ThisMorning." @Wishingstaar shared: "I used to have the biggest crush on Simon Cowell, he looks like a whole different person these days!"
As he chatted about his partnership with 2012 X Factor contestant Lucy, who he signed to his publishing company, Simon said, "I have my own publishing company where I sign writers and about two years ago we met up and I said apart from being a great artist she is a brilliant songwriter, so I said I wanted to publish her songs…"
Smiling Lucy then joked: "And I said, 'oh go on then!'" Simon continued, “Great songs are like great paintings, but then Lucy played me this demo called Balance and I always remember where I am when I hear a great song for the first time and it's the best feeling in the world… and I’m obsessed with this song by the way!"
Appearing to hint at his career now, Simon added: "And now in my life you have to do something you’re passionate about, and this is something I’m super super passionate about." But it wasn't long before he was being quizzed on The X Factor and if we could see it return to screens.
"People keep asking me about the show – 'are you going to bring it back?'" he said. Refencing the music landscape today, Simon added: "One hundred thousand new songs are uploaded everyday at the moment… It’s good but it’s also difficult. I believe you’ve got to get to know somebody."
As for the show being changed if it were to return, Simon said: "We have talked about that, 'what would you do differently today?' There’s a lot I’ve learnt to be honest with you. I think it started to become a bit of a machine. You put a record out that year and you move on, and that’s not the way to do it. And when you throw someone into the limelight, it’s hard, you know? So look, to be continued…"
Lucy then headed to perform her new single, Balance, which is being backed by Simon and as she neared the end of her performance she broke into tears. As the hosts and Simon came over, Alison admitted: "I don't know what's going on today," after she shed tears earlier in the programme.
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