Worried Lauren Silverman’s desperate to ‘protect’ Simon Cowell

After pulling out of his new show, Walk The Line, insiders say Simon Cowell’s concerned partner Lauren helped him decide to scale back his heavy workload

simon cowell lauren silverman

by Daisy McLure |
Updated on

He shot to fame as Mr Nasty on Pop Idol almost 20 years ago and has become one of TV’s most recognisable faces. But Simon Cowell, 62, has shocked fans after announcing he’s stepping back from TV to spend more time with his partner, Lauren Silverman, 44, and their seven-year-old son, Eric.

Insiders say the bombshell news from the self-confessed workaholic – who once said he’d “rather drop dead than retire” – came after a long period of contemplation.

A source says, “Simon’s been torn between his family and his work for a while. Everyone knows how much he thrives on his career, but it’s come at a price to his family, who’ve had to make sacrifices due to his work schedule.”

simon cowell girlfriend son
The pair with son Eric ©Getty Images

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The news came as the BGT boss revealed he will be replaced by his former The X Factor co-judge, Gary Barlow, for his new ITV talent show, Walk The Line, on which he remains as executive producer.

It comes just five months after he broke his back in a near-fatal electric bike accident at his Malibu home. Simon – who was treated round the clock by carers as he learned how to walk again – has kept a largely low profile since.

And in 2017, he almost broke his neck after collapsing and falling down the stairs at his London home, sparking health fears.

Check out: The X Factor 'joke' contestants - where are they now?

Gallery

The X Factor joke acts - where are they now? - slider

X Factor joke acts1 of 20
CREDIT: Getty

Wagner then

You need to cast your mind back to 2010 to remember Wagner, the Brazilian pocket rocket who had us in stitches with his theatrical performances, while simultaneously covering our ears to block out the noise he was making with his mouth.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Wagner now

Wagner's comic appeal saw him finish sixth in the seventh series – a placing which irked top judge Simon no end. In 2012 he caused controversy when he had a baby with his then 20-year-old girlfriend Lydia – who's 36 years his junior.

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CREDIT: ITV

Stevi Ritchie then

Resident joke act in 2014 was Stevi (he dropped the 'e' - pure edge) Ritchie, a fan of big songs and big vocals that verged on shouting a lot of the time. He went on to have a relationship with fellow 2014 contestant, Chloe Jasmine but definitely not for publicity or anything like that.

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CREDIT: Instagram

Stevi Ritchie now

Stevi has been busy showing off his killer new bod on Instagram after dropping over three stone in just eight weeks with a grueling diet and exercise regime. Sadly, his romance with Chloe wasn't to last, but he did pop up in a selfie of hers on Insta earlier this year.

X Factor joke acts5 of 20
CREDIT: ITV

Diva Fever then

Also from series seven and one of the only novelty acts to be mentored by Simon Cowell, Diva Fever were a camp-as-they-come party act made up of Craig and Josef. They made it to week two of the live shows before they were booted off.

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CREDIT: Facebook

Diva Fever now

Though it looks as though Diva Fever have officially disbanded, we're pleased to report that Josef and Craig are still pals and were out in force this year to celebrate Pride with their squad.

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CREDIT: ITV

Johnny Robinson then

Series eight saw one of our all time FAVOURITE contestants take to the stage and blow away the judges - this time with Gary Barlow in the top spot – with his mega voice. Johnny Robinson was mentored by Louis Walsh in his over 25s category, and lasted until week five in the live shows.

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CREDIT: Johnny Robinson

Johnny Robinson now

Prior to his stint on The X Factor, Johnny performed as his drag alter ego, Sarah Lee, and in 2016 he reprised the role and released two singles, Eaten Alive and Deliver Me. Last year he gave an interview for The Sun's Back To Reality series, where he said he'd "rather bake a quiche" than find love.

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CREDIT: Getty

Chico then

The original joke act, Chico was mentored by Sharon Osbourne way back in 2005 for the second series of The X Factor, which was won by Shane Ward and was the first series anyone really paid attention to, anyway. His performances were crazy high energy, and one time he poured a glass of water over himself mid song.

X Factor joke acts10 of 20
CREDIT: Twitter

Chico now

Chico went onto have some success with his single, It's Chico Time (erotic, hypnotic, exotic, that's for sure) and since then has launched his own fitness program and classes, Block 1. Last year he suffered a stroke following a blood clot on the brain, but quickly made a full recovery.

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CREDIT: Getty

Jedward then

Another of Louis Walsh's bright ideas, Jedward were bound to win over the X Factor mainstay hailing from his native Ireland. They delivered consistently cringe-worthy productions with backing vocals – but still made it to week seven, because, as we've seen – the public love a novelty act.*sarcasm

X Factor joke acts12 of 20
CREDIT: Getty

Jedward now

This photo is from 2017, but let's be honest, Jedward haven't changed a bit, leading us to suspect they are in fact alien bots from the future sent to Earth for reasons so evil we couldn't possibly comprehend them. So far they're not doing a bad job of that, so we'll leave it there.

X Factor joke acts13 of 20
CREDIT: ITV

2Shoes then

In 2011, Essex- based duo 2Shoes won over Tulisa and took their place in the groups for series eight - but were pipped to the post by another girl group now known as Little Mix. Their infectious girly pop - and fondness of referring to each other as 'Shoe' – was cute, but got old quickly and they were eliminated in week one.

X Factor joke acts14 of 20
CREDIT: 2Shoes

2Shoes now

SHUT UP! Far from having their confidence knocked from their time on X Factor, Charley and Lucy have continued to perform as 2Shoes, and earlier this year released a fab cover of Ariana Grande's Thank U, Next on YouTube. Meanwhile, Charley is now a mum of two after announcing her first pregnancy during the live show rehearsals.

X Factor joke acts15 of 20
CREDIT: ITV

Rylan Clark then

Rylan had already starred on Signed By Katie Price when he auditioned for X Factor with long, platinum blonde hair and a bizarre dance version of Des 'Ree's Kissing You in 2012. But he really cemented his future sleb status with his LEGENDARY breakdown at Nicole Scherzinger's house, after she told him he was going through to the live shows.

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CREDIT: Getty

Rylan Clark-Neal now

It can be easy to forget about Rylan's humble beginnings, what with being a bona fide national treasure these days. He's worked on everything from Big Brother's Bit on the Side to the Eurovision spin off, You Decide. He's got a regular slot onThis Morning, stole the show on Celebrity Gogglebox alongside his mum Sandra and is currently filling the iconic shoes of Dale Winton in the reboot of Supermarket Sweep. In his personal life, he married policeman and Big Brother 14 housemate Dan Neal. Oh also, we love him.

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CREDIT: ITV

Same Difference then

Same Difference was made up of brother and sister Sean and Sarah Smith, and their brand of pop-meets-musical-theatre saw them sail through to third place under the mentorship of Simon Cowell – without falling into the bottom two ONCE during the live shows.

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CREDIT: Twitter

Same Difference now

Sean is still singing, most recently performing at the Weston-Super-Mare Pride event in August 2019, and he's still got Same Difference in his Twitter bio so he's clearly not even embarrassed about it. Meanwhile little sis Sarah has been popping out kids, and is now mum to two boys, Bertie and Barney. Cute.

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CREDIT: Getty

Honey G then

It's unclear whether Honey G - real name Anna Georgette Gilford – was a parody character or just one of the most dedicated acts in X Factor history, but either way, the public certainly warmed to her polite rap persona and she placed fifth in 2016 under Sharon Osbourne, who returned to the show for that series.

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CREDIT: Channel 5

Honey G now

Honey did actually sign to SyCo, Simon Cowell's record label, before Christmas of that year but was dropped after just four months when her single charted at no. 149 in the UK charts – one of the lowest performing X Factor singles of all time. In 2017, she went on to star on Channel 5 make-under series 100% Hotter (dubbed "the most judgemental show on TV" by critics) where she was stripped of her hat and sunglasses.

simon cowell the x factor
On The X Factor ©Shutterstock

Revealing it was the “wake- up call” he needed, Simon then overhauled his lifestyle and dropped an incredible 4st by embarking on a plant-based diet and a new fitness regime.

Insiders previously told Closer that Lauren has been instrumental in helping Simon live healthier.

And pals say the former socialite was also behind his latest career move.

Closer magazine
©Closer magazine

The source adds, “Lauren has seen the toll Simon’s schedule has taken on him. While she supports him doing what he loves, she worries about him doing too much.

“She’s encouraged him to take his foot off the pedal and have a better work-life balance. After a tricky few years, she’s desperate to stop him pushing himself too hard.”

WATCH: Chloe Brockett on her secret row with Yaz, feuding with the Sims sisters and Mark Wright returning

Simon Cowell reaches out to Zayn Malik

simon cowell zayn malik
Simon and Zayn in 2010 ©Getty Images

Zayn Malik’s career lay in tatters last week after he was sentenced to probation and anger management for harassing ex-girlfriend Gigi Hadid’s mother, Yolanda.

The former 1D star – who was dropped from his record label – denied shoving the ex-Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills star, 57, and calling her a “f***ing slut” during a row last month.

Supermodel Gigi, 28 – who shares one-year-old daughter, Khai, with the singer – was in Paris and reportedly heard the altercation over the phone, in which Zayn allegedly told a security guard, “Get out of my f***ing house.”

zayn malik gigi hadid
With Gigi in 2020 ©Getty Images

There were reports Gigi – said to have split from her on/ off beau of six years – has urged him to get therapy for alleged heavy cannabis use, which he hasn’t confirmed or denied.

Zayn recently hit out at old pals and colleagues in new tracks, including former record boss Simon Cowell.

But insiders say Simon has reached out to his ex-protégé to offer help and support.

The source says, “Simon felt it was right to tell Zayn that, despite all that’s happened, he’s there for him. “Simon was with Zayn from the start of his career and feels a responsibility towards all his artists.”

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