Friday, 12 December 2008

• Prev
• Next

Simon Cowell: I’m embarrassed about leaked X Factor contract details

The judge also says winning contestant will get £150,000 advance

Simon Cowell created The X Factor format

Simon Cowell was left red-faced when details of the clauses in the X Factor finalists’ contracts were made public this week.

As part of the deal, the acts have to agree never to criticise the music boss, 49.

‘It’s very embarrassing,’ Simon said at The X Factor press conference.

'I wasn’t actually aware that I was one of the clauses. That’s got to be one of the most useless clauses in history because everyone says horrible things about me anyway.’

Simon denies the contestants have been duped into thinking they’ll receive £1 million up front.

‘Lawyers have looked at this contract and are happy with it, everyone has been happy with this for years,’ he says.

‘The winner gets an advance of £150,000, which is a lot of money. By the time you add the marketing, advertising and so on, we have made a £1 million commitment.’

Stuck for the perfect Christmas gift? Save 30% when you subscribe to Now>>