Simon Cowell offered £88 million pay deal

Wed Jul 01 10:54AM by TV Editor

Simon Cowell

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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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  • (71)

    well, he is a hard working man, who knows how it is to have nothing and imagining the x-factor or American idol without Simon is kinda impossible. Even tho some people call him nasty or mean, I just call him straight forward and honest. If he is worth £88 million or not, I can't judge that, I wouldn't even know what to with all that money, but if it helps to keep him on the show, go for it. He is the heart and soul of these shows.

    Posted by: sandra.asmus on Wed Jul 01 02:08PM | Report abuse
  • (72)

    Sion is a bit after my own heart tell it as you see it,as regarding his payout off 88 million its a bit to much but what a person he is i would not wont to go around giving my jugment on other peoples talent that has to be stress factor 1,so lets admire a man that we all seem to hate.

    Posted by: stephensbennet on Wed Jul 01 02:08PM | Report abuse
  • (73)

    It's a stupid TV show catering to a dumbed down audience no one is worth that much.

    Posted by: stargrove08 on Wed Jul 01 02:08PM | Report abuse
  • (74)

    nobody, no matter what they do, "deserves" £88 million. Salaries like that are obscene when millions of people are without basic essentials to live decent lives.

    Posted by: anne.candlin1 on Wed Jul 01 02:09PM | Report abuse
  • (75)

    No one is worth that much money, but if the Americans are daft enough to think that someone is, then good luck to Simon. However, what he could do so he is not vilified is to give the extra money to one of his favourite charities.

    Posted by: p.hawkswood on Wed Jul 01 02:09PM | Report abuse
  • (76)

    I think he worth even more ! He is cool and honest man ! I like the way he works ! Respect

    Posted by: andriusmejeris on Wed Jul 01 02:10PM | Report abuse
  • (77)

    Wouldn't pay him 88p.

    Posted by: adrian.vine1 on Wed Jul 01 02:10PM | Report abuse
  • (78)

    Simon Cowell has no talent - no conscience and obviously has set himself up as a god. Noone on the face of this Earth should even be contemplating thinking in terms of $88,000,000 at this or any time. It is obscene. May God forgive him.

    Posted by: sallykrykant on Wed Jul 01 02:10PM | Report abuse
  • (79)

    This situation with S. Cowell reminds me the situation with the Top models in late 90s, when they all were slightly overpaid. The solution was to promote the new ones with the decreased salaries. The same way I would probably invest in promotion of the newer media stars. Cause this money, ie £88 million, may be of help elsewhere.

    Posted by: voroninaoa on Wed Jul 01 02:10PM | Report abuse
  • (80)

    Obscene, just like footballers, although footballers do give a bit more entertainment than he does.

    Posted by: vibrett on Wed Jul 01 02:10PM | Report abuse