LOUIS WALSH ON X FACTOR
Cowell stakes it on Vegas
SIMON Cowell celebrates his 60th birthday tomorrow – and to mark it he has won back the sex factor.
But ask pal Louis Walsh what prompted the music tycoon’s 20 pound weight loss and emerging six-pack, and he can’t resist poking fun.
Cackling like The Joker, the 67-year-old shrieks: “He realised he had a big fat face when he only wants a fat bank balance.
“I don’t think Simon minds getting old, but I don’t think he wants to look old. Last year he was Desperate Dan – now he’s a different person.”
When Cowell was pictured on the beach in Mexico earlier this week, the first signs of a six-pack were evident.
Louis says Cowell’s partner of six years Lauren Silverman, 42 – mum to five-yearold son Eric – has been a big influence.
He explains: “Lauren has 100 per cent had a positive effect. He’s getting on a bit and had to be healthier. She doesn’t like him smoking or drinking.
“That Carly Simon song You’re So Vain was made for him. Now he looks like he did in the 80s – and still dresses like that too. Those flares are even coming back in fashion…”
Gone are the days when Cowell would regularly stay up until 5am, Louis insists.
“He’s going to bed earlier, getting up earlier, cycling – doing normal things like he never did before.
“Maybe it’s because he’s an older dad. We just don’t mention the O-L-D word.”
Even Cowell’s birthday bash sounds like a more toned-down affair compared to previous decades, hints Louis – who was at both his 40th and 50th.
The mogul’s extravagant millionpound 50th bash at stately home Wrotham Park, in Hertfordshire, was attended by everyone from Kate Moss and Amanda Holden to Piers Morgan.
“It was quite over the top, but Philip Green had organised it,” Louis says. “This year will be nothing as pretentious.
“Lauren is organising it and it’ll be more normal, with family and friends, because she knows what he likes.
“I’ve been to all his parties, I’ll be at his 100th. We both will be – because Simon’s found the secret of eternal youth.”
Simon, who will mark the milestone in Los Angeles,said: “There will not be a birthday cake but I can still drink beer so I am happy.”
He added: “I went on this diet and it has worked and I feel better for it.
“It hasn’t been difficult for me but the difference I feel in 12 months is unbelievable. Mentally as well.
“And you know Eric was a big part of it because he is five-years-old and I was conscious that his energy, the minute he wakes up and right before he goes to bed, he is all over the place and you want to be able to be with him in the day time and play sports with him and that was a big part of it as well.
“And yes it is the best thing I have done in years! I am going to call it the Simon Diet! Definitely!”
It is Cowell’s f irst milestone birthday without one of the
He and Eric are always playing together like kids, he’s a mini Simon LOUIS WALSH ON HIS PAL’S PLEASURE AT BEING A DAD
most important figures in his life – his mum Julie.
She died four years ago, aged 89. Louis recalls: “I’ll never forget it, he was just shattered. He loved his mum. He always wanted to impress her. He was a totally different person around her. She was always telling him to find a nice girl.”
Cowell is still friends with several of his exes, including TV presenter Terri Seymour, singer Sinitta and glamour model Jackie St Clair. But Lauren is not SIMON Cowell has confirmed he is “100 per cent” intent on opening his own Las Vegas nightspot to showcase his Got Talent success stories.
The music boss, whose one to feel threatened. “She’s been there a long time and she’s given Simon Eric,” Louis explains.
“She’s like his best friend in the whole world and is incredibly loyal. They’re perfect together. ”
Being dad to Eric has changed the Syco America’s Got Talent has been the top US prime time show for the last four years, said: “When it comes to this final, it feels great.
“We haven’t had this in years, so if we could get the talent consistent in Vegas, we’d be crazy not to.” AGT winners already get a short-term Vegas residency, but Simon wants a year-round venue.
He said: “It’s about if last year’s show works, if this year’s works.”