Simon Philip Cowell (born October 7, 1959 in Brighton, England) is a British A&R (artist and repertoire) executive for BMG Records, but is probably best known as a judge on the television programs Pop Idol and American Idol. Cowell is notorious for his uncompromisingly harsh and occasionally controversial criticism of Pop Idol and American Idol contestants.

"Sinitta and Jackie are my family now. I don't think of them as ex-girlfriends anymore. They are an extension of my life...It must be infuriating but I'd never change because my ex-girlfriends are so close I couldn't imagine life without them."

From mirror.co.uk interview, 22 October, 2005 On whether Simon's girlfriend, Terri, cared that Sinnita appeared on his show, The X Factor, in a bikini. "You can't sing; you can't dance; so what do you want me to say? You sung like you were on a dentists' chair I think you have to judge everything based on your personal taste. And if that means being critical, so be it. I hate political correctness. I absolutely loathe it." "

"We have hated the French for years. Now you have just joined the club. It makes you much more likable."

"I find Paula patronizing. It's as simple as that. Paula is more damaging than I am to these contestants because a lot of people just shouldn't be singing for a living."

"The object of this competition is not to be mean to the losers but to find a winner. The process makes you mean because you get frustrated."

"If I said to most of the people who auditioned, 'Good job, awesome, well done,' it would have made me actually look and feel ridiculous. It's quite obvious most of the people who turned up for this audition were hopeless."

"The end of the animal trade would leave more time to trap or beat to death pop star wannabes."

"If you've got a big mouth and you're controversial, you're going to get attention."

"If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would be drowning."

"I met someone the other night who's 28 years old, and he hasn't worked a day since he left college because he's pursuing a dream he'll never, ever realize: He thinks he's a great singer. Actually, he's crap."

"My attitude is, if someone's going to criticize me, tell me to my face."

"I dont mean to be rude but you look like The Incredible Hulk's wife."