SIMON TAKES THE MICKEY
Mogul wants to be UK’S answer to Walt Disney
SIMON Cowell is drawing up plans to turn himself into a British version of Walt Disney.
The music mogul has already announced he is creating a series of kids’ books with six-year-old son Eric.
But we can reveal he is also launching a range of spin-offs based on the picture books’ Wishfit creatures.
They will include films, computer games, board games, puzzles, pyjamas and cuddly toys.
It could mean a lucrative new career for Simon – who has amassed a £385million fortune from pop music and reality TV.
A source said: “Kids’ entertainment and education is a huge business and Simon fancies a slice of the pie.”
Wishfits are described by Simon as “magical and unusual creatures which have evolved in a weird and wonderful way, combining two different species to form hybrid animals with very distinct characteristics”.
The first three books will be published by Hachette in 2021, with a cut of profits for Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and Together for Short Lives.
The source added: “Simon is always ahead of the curve when it comes to new trends in entertainment and he sees how lucrative the children’s market is and there is room for another big player.
“He wants to take this project and make it the next phenomenon just as Walt Disney did for animation and leave a legacy and entertainment empire for son Eric.”
Simon, 60, said of his venture into children’s books: “To be able to write a series of books with my son Eric has been magical.”
Cowell is trying to rescue his biggest brand after The X Factor slumped to its worst ratings last year.