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Simon Cowell has reportedly been offered £88 million to appear on the next series of American Idol.
The deal is four times the £22 million he currently receives for the show and it follows fears from US network Fox that he may quit when his current contract ends next May.
American Idol, which has just finished its eighth season, regularly attracts audiences of up to 25 million in the US.
The news comes days after it was reported that The X Factor judge is setting up a new media company with Top Shop boss Sir Philip Green. The business would see Cowell take full ownership of all of his work, as opposed to just performance fees for appearing on shows such as American Idol and Britain's Got Talent.
A source told the Guardian: "He is past the old-style music deal, where you take a cut as a performer. This is about properly owning himself, Brand Cowell, everything he does, new formats, and new programmes, not just the ones starring him."
Cowell's mammoth pay increase comes at a time when other UK-based stars are facing massive cuts to their salaries. Bruce Forsyth is said to be taking a £160,000 pay cut to present the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, while the presenters on GMTV are facing cuts of up to 25 percent.
Amazingly, if Simon Cowell accepts the offer it won't actually make him the highest paid star on TV. That title belongs to Oprah Winfrey who rakes in an incredible £136 million each year.
Do you think Simon Cowell is worth £88 million? Are TV presenters overpaid or do they represent value for money? Let us know what you think...
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should never be allowed
Posted by: edwrd1920 on Wed Jul 01 02:13PM | Report abuseIt is absolutely ridiculous. He is given far too much profile. Fox is crazy and should go out there interviewing for a replacement. Or maybe Fox are not that crazy and it is the general viewer that is potty to give so much importance to the smug and arrogant presenter. Oprah seems to actually do some work whereas Simon just turns up in a lousy T-shirt, gives a random view and goes home. Randy is far too under-rated.
Posted by: javaid2020 on Wed Jul 01 02:13PM | Report abuseGood luck to the man. I'm not particularly concerned what he earns. Personally, I would like to see the back of some of the useless has-beens who have bummed a ride for what seems like forever. Get rid of Cliff Richard; that useless song-and -dance clown Bruce Forsyth(who has never been funny or talented. He just appeals to the idiot fringe. Above all, get rid of Terry bloody Wogan. Can't he become an MP or something? Haven't these greedy @#$% earned enough already??
Posted by: ronaldbplant on Wed Jul 01 02:13PM | Report abusedid you get my comment simon lovekate cowell
Posted by: stevekatetenerife on Wed Jul 01 02:14PM | Report abusedid you get my comment simon lovekate cowell
Posted by: stevekatetenerife on Wed Jul 01 02:14PM | Report abuseWho is Simon Cowell?....has he been on TV or something?
Posted by: meubles_anciens on Wed Jul 01 02:14PM | Report abuseWhat a stupid question...
Posted by: kenneth_harrison01482 on Wed Jul 01 02:15PM | Report abuseOf course its
Posted by: t_fitzhenry on Wed Jul 01 02:15PM | Report abuseIt's all relevant to the amount of income he will generate ! Personally I think it is too much as he is a bit of a non personality.
Posted by: keithybabe2000 on Wed Jul 01 02:15PM | Report abuseCowell worth £88million? No Are TV presenters overpaid? Yes
Posted by: cherrypearce1 on Wed Jul 01 02:15PM | Report abuse