‘Santa travels to Barbados to give Eric his presents’
The X Factor mogul Simon Cowell opens up about his Caribbean Christmas plans and skipping the turkey dinner
In years gone by, Simon Cowell would spend his Christmas and New Year in Barbados with his entourage, sunbathing on the beach, jet skiing in the ocean and drinking Caribbean cocktails. But these days he has an extra-special VIP on his festive trip – his son Eric, five, and his long-term girlfriend Lauren Silverman, 42.
“Santa travels there every year and gives Eric a few presents,” Simon tells
Closer. “I just leave the UK and sunbathe – that’s my Christmas tradition.”
The mogul’s drastic 1½st weight loss has been a hot topic this year – something he credits to switching to a plant-based diet. He says, “I cut out a lot of the stuff I shouldn’t have been eating, and that was primarily meat, dairy, wheat, sugar – those were the four main things.
I noticed a massive difference in how
I felt in about a week.”
HEALTH KICK
Despite holding off on the turkey this year, Simon, 60, will be treating himself in Barbados on Christmas Day. He reveals, “I might have a few roast potatoes, yeah. And mince pies! I do like a mince pie.”
Speaking about his new vegan diet, Simon reveals his healthier lifestyle now helps him keep up with Eric. He says, “It makes you feel better – it genuinely does. My memory is better, my energy is better. And when you’ve got a five year old, you’ve got to be able to keep up with them, because the minute they’re awake, they’re all over the place.
“His energy is unbelievable! I was conscious of the fact that I had to keep up with him. Someone recommended this [vegan] was the way to go – I tried it and I stuck to it. It was one of the easiest things I’ve ever done.”
Simon also hit the headlines in
October when he cancelled his lavish
60th birthday bash just days before – something he explains was down to his hectic work schedule. “Everyone thought, ‘CRISIS!’” he says. “Blah, blah, blah…
No, I was just too busy to have a birthday party, so I put it back. I just didn’t have time that week.”
The X Factor: Celebrity has been a TV hit for Simon. This special edition of the show starred familiar acts such as Vinnie Jones, Megan McKenna and Ricki Lake.
“The stars all took it really seriously,” Simon says. “There’s so many shows that [celebrities] go on just to get a bit of airtime or whatever. But the amount of time they put into rehearsals, choosing the songs, choosing the creatives, everything else… I loved it. I was so much fun. We had an absolute ball doing it.”
CHART HOPES
The TV judge also reveals the dream showman he’d love to have on his stage one day. “Hugh Jackman,” he says. “He’s fantastic. Not that he needs any help or mentoring from me, but I would just love to work with him. I met him, and he’s one of the most charming, charismatic people I’ve ever encountered.”
Simon’s most recent TV project was The X Factor: The Band, where the music mogul attempted to emulate his success with One Direction, Fifth Harmony and Little Mix by finding a new group.
“I’ve got to believe I can find an amazing new boy or girl group who represent the British version of K-pop,” he says of making the series. “It needs to be the real deal – that’s what it’s all about.”
‘My tradition is leaving the UK to sunbathe’