Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell gained international fame as the host of the Idol series of TV reality television singing competition shows, beginning with Pop Idol in the United Kingdom and then American Idol in the United States. Cowell was also a judge on the popular reality show America's Got Talent.

Rumors began circulating by Radar Online, in December 2009, that Cowell will leave American Idol when his contract expires at the end of the 2010 season. These rumors were confirmed on January 11, 2010 when Cowell announced that the 2010 season would be his last.http://www.tmz.com/2010/01/11/simon-cowell-im-leaving-american-idol/ Cowell is reportedly ready to sign a deal with Robert Stigwood, that would allow him to remake the Saturday Night Fever film. http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2009/jun/10/simon-cowell-timbaland

On March 9, 2010, Cowell confirmed long-time rumors of his engagement to makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy. Cowell announced the news on The Tonight Show when host Jay Leno asked if rumors of their engagement were true. "Well", Cowell replied, "I do have somebody in my life now, Jay, yes. And I kinda made a decision this year to make somebody happy." Hussainy then made a gesture to show off her engagement ring, which is rumored to cost over US$375,000. Cowell gave no confirmed date for the wedding, saying only he hoped to get married within "the next ten years".http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1256516/Simon-Cowell-confirms-engagement-Mezhgan-Hussainy-Tonight-Show.html

Simon Cowell's last American Idol show was this year's final on May 26th, 2010, when Lee DeWyze won the talent show http://www.metro.co.uk/tv/828067-simon-cowell-leaves-american-idol-as-lee-dewyze-wins-the-crown. Cowell's American Idol replacement has not yet been announced although Joel Diamond is a possibility http://newsblaze.com/story/20100530162640zzzz.nb/topstory.html. Simon said he left American Idol to pursue the American version of popular UK reality TV show "X Factor", which will be coming to Fox TV http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8453267.stm. The first X Factor US show is said to be in the Autumn of 2011 http://xfactor.tellymix.co.uk/2010/judges/2799-x-factor-usa-cheryl-paula-jay-z-lined-up-to-join-simon-cowell.html.

Simon Cowell is currently touring the UK and attending live auditions for this year's X Factor. As Dannii Minogue is on maternity leave, he is being joined by Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole. Danni is being replaced by several other music stars including Geri Halliwell, Natalie Imbrulgia, Pixie Lott and Kate Perry. http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s103/the-x-factor/news/a226994/lily-allen-rules-out-x-factor.html

After dropping out of Dover College and St. Columba's College, Cowell's father Eric Philip Cowell got his son a job in the mail room of EMI Records.People: Simon Cowell (June 23, 2008) He worked his way to becoming a music publisher. He then went to Fanfare Records Limited for eight years, working with dance groups like Hot Gossip and Sinitta. After the Fanfare's financial crisis and shut down, Cowell went to work for BMG Records where he signed mainstream acts and successful novelty albums for the Teletubbies and the Power Rangers.People: Simon Cowell (June 23, 2008)

Cowell created Pop Idol in 1998, and the reality based singing television show first aired in the United Kingdom in October 5, 2001. He brought his plan for American Idol to American networks, but was turned down by almost every major network. His last meeting was set with FOX networks, and after initial hesitation, they signed for one season of the show and it quickly proved to be the right decision, as the ratings broke records. Due to Idols success, Cowell has a guaranteed salary of $36 million per season until the year 2011 working as a judge on the hit show.New York Post: Simon Salary Envy (October 13, 2008) His fellow judges initially included record producer and bassist Randy Jackson, 1980s pop music star Paula Abdul and, in 2009, songwriter Kara DioGuardi.

On December 1, 2008, various news outlets reported that a tracking device was found on the undercarriage of Cowell's Bentley Continental sometime during the last week of November. Reports indicate that Cowell had noticed a "mysterious biker" showing up at private meetings.Sunday Mirror: Simon Cowell discovers bugging device on car (December 1, 2008)

The name of the party believed to be responsible for the device has not been released, however, Max Clifford, Cowell's publicist, claimed that they had spoken to the suspected person.The Guardian: Simon Cowell's lawyers warn press about harassment (December 1, 2008)

On February 6, 2009, gossip blogger Perez Hilton reported that Simon Cowell was the mysterious benefactor that helped former Idol winner Fantasia Barrino escape home foreclosure. According to reports, Cowell had hoped to keep his involvement in the good deed private.Perez Hilton: Simon Cowell Does... (February 6, 2009)

"My pen has got more charisma."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"This is like something out of a Science Fiction movie."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"It was a very disturbing slightly demonic audition."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"The only resemblance to Mariah would be her CD left out in the sun for a year and then trying to play it."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"You have something he hasn’t got. Warmth and a personality."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"That must have cleared your hiccups."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"Does he have a returns policy?"Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"It was excruciating. Even your dog is struggling to get out of the room."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"Keep your batteries in your calculator, that’s my advice."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

"I don't think you are as good as you think you are."Access Hollywood: Top Ten Simon-Isms Uttered During 'Idol' Auditions (February 7, 2008)

In April 2009, media and gossip publications reported that Simon Cowell might leave his position as an American Idol judge when his current contract expires in 2010. When asked about the rumor, Cowell answered, "Right now, the only certainty is that I'm still on Idol, still love doing it, and still have a year under contract."Daily News: Simon Cowell might quit, or is it just 'Idol' gossip?

• Note: The IMDb links in this timeline have pop-ups.

• October 7, 1959: Born

• 1985: Leaves EMI as a mail clerk to form Fanfare Records

• 1989: Hired as a consultant by BMG

• 2001: Pop Idol - IMDb

• 2002-Present: American Idol - IMDb

• 2006: America's Got Talent - '

• 2006: The X Factor - IMDb

• 2006: American Inventor - IMDb

• 2006: Celebrity Duets - IMDb Listing | Wikipedia

• 2008: Rock Rivals - Wikipedia