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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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Good luck to the bloke, wish it was me!
Posted by: bobcts on Wed Jul 01 02:10PM | Report abuseTV presenters work very hard. They put in both mental and physical effort. Every penny paid to them are well deserved. I am somebody that believes in honesty. I will like to be a TV presenter but I haven't got the oppurtunity yet.
Posted by: lovelymma on Wed Jul 01 02:11PM | Report abuse1 believe in simon cowell he is straight down town the line and direct for all contestants wether he is worth all this money ? but if he where to give me and my family 1000 pounds as 1 am a relation whon 1 do not thihk he is aware of if not 1 still think he is great love you ! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Posted by: stevekatetenerife on Wed Jul 01 02:11PM | Report abuseGrossly overpaid for such an obnoxious arrogant individual. What talent does he possess - zero!
Posted by: bigswash on Wed Jul 01 02:11PM | Report abuseTypical USA.... Crazy money...
Posted by: micky_ukhunter on Wed Jul 01 02:11PM | Report abuseI think personally, that if the US are stupid enough to pay such high amounts for their presenters, then who are we to judge. I think people who comment on such things are just jealous.
Posted by: casimmondsuk on Wed Jul 01 02:12PM | Report abuseOh yes he deserves it very much so, he's a pro and worked hard to get where he is today beside he does help the poor very much so, in fact this is very good news. He makes people become better and more aware. He is honest and straight forward, we all need that in order to see through ourselves. Gail from Lebanon
Posted by: gailsr1999 on Wed Jul 01 02:12PM | Report abuseHe proposed and they decide, if they want to pay 88 Mlillion to Simon Cowell, so be it
Posted by: juanchoja on Wed Jul 01 02:12PM | Report abuseI think Simon should earn more than a lot of stars, what does Oprah do anyway..at least Simon's progames are very entertaining...love Simon and hes attitude xxx
Posted by: p.greta on Wed Jul 01 02:13PM | Report abuseAs much as I enjoy Simon Cowell and his dry wit, I do not believe that he or any other person of his calibre are worth that amount of money. When you consider it against the average persons wage it is unreal. I know that the so called wise will say "Oh but his time is minimised because of age" Come on, anyone wrth his/her salt never loses their job and I am sure when you think of Bruce Forsyth still on TV that answers my question. NO matter what Simon keep up the good work.
Posted by: johna71loasby on Wed Jul 01 02:13PM | Report abuse