Tony Cowell
It’s a family affair in best magazine this week as Tony Cowell talks to his brother, Simon, about this year’s series of The X Factor. Now that Simon’s made some changes, he thinks the show can last for another 20 years. Simon also shares some cute stories about his three-year-old son Eric – who just won’t stop talking…
You’ve kept the same panel this year – was that an easy decision?
Yes, because once you work with people you like, you take the focus off the judges and concentrate on the acts, which is what we should be doing. It was such a hassle when we were changing the judges every year. I don’t want that any more.
How happy is Louis Walsh this year?
He’s very, very happy. I actually reminded him this year just how important he is on the panel. He’s a good, loyal friend and I think the viewers like him. He also works really hard. He’s passionate about the show.
You have made a lot of changes to the show this year – are you happy with the format now?
Yes, and you’ll see more changes during the live shows. You can’t keep making the same show every year. It’s going to be more exciting for the viewer and also for the contestants. I don’t want it to be boring or gimmicky.
You are also allowing contestants to sing original songs – do you think that’s a risk?
As long as the songs are good then no, it’s not a risk. It’s just happened that this year the songs are much better than we have heard in the past, so we are letting them through.
Do you have sleepless nights worrying about the show’s ratings?
How can I? There’s no point worrying, Tony. I used to do that years ago but not now. Last Saturday, we were the most-watched TV show – so I can’t go to bed in a bad mood after that, can I? I no longer worry about things the way I used to.
Where are you filming Judges’ Houses this year?
I think we’re going to the south of France, which I’m looking forward to. I’m really happy with my category this year but, to be honest, I don’t care if I have the winner or Louis has. I’m not that competitive. I want what’s best for the show.
I hear Eric has been following you around to every audition. Are you being shadowed?
(Laughs) Absolutely, he’s at that age where he copies everything I do. He’s even started wearing the same clothes, and I had to sit him down and explain to him that it wasn’t necessarily a good thing… If I wear a white shirt, he wants to wear a white shirt. If I wear blue trunks, he wants blue trunks. It’s getting embarrassing, but he’s hilarious and I don’t really want to stop him being himself.
He’s a big talker, isn’t he?
Big talker? Eric asks more questions than anyone I have ever met in the world. It’s literally every five seconds. ‘ What’s this? Why’s that? Who is that and do you like him?’ It’s non-stop from the time he gets up to the time he goes to bed. He just cracks me up. I suppose at this age he doesn’t have any filter.
Now Eric’s older, does he remind you of Mum or your dad?
That’s a good question. I think more Mum because he never stops talking, just like the way she talked non-stop. But in
a good way. That’s kind of a cute reminder, to be honest.
Does he enjoy going to the shows with you?
He first came down when he was very young because I wanted to get him used to what I do for work. Nowadays he prefers to sit with the X Factor directors so he can play with all the equipment. To be honest, he prefers BGT because he likes all the animal acts. But, the other day, I came home from a live [ America’s Got Talent] show and for the first time ever he said, ‘How was the show, Daddy?’ So suddenly he actually really gets what I do for a living.
What does he make of people who stop you in the street?
That happened the other day here in LA, and he said to me, ‘Daddy, how come every time you walk past someone in the street they laugh at you?’ I said because they have seen me on TV.
Do you want Eric to follow in your footsteps and be on TV?
Only if he is on my side of the judging desk.
What if he said he wanted to be an accountant?
I’d say forget it…
l The X Factor is on ITV on Saturdays and Sundays at 8pm