Wednesday, 8 April 2009

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SEE VIDEO Simon Cowell gives American Idol contestant standing ovation

Adam Lambert impresses the usually strict judge

Simon Cowell is also a judge on The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent

Simon Cowell gave a rare standing ovation to an American Idol hopeful last night.

The notoriously hard-to-please judge, 49, stood to congratulate Adam Lambert on his performance of Mad World.

'Words are unnecessary but I want to give you a standing ovation,' Simon said as the other three judges joined him.

Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi all echoed Simon's sentiments – making 26-year-old Adam a firm favourite to win the show.

SEE VIDEO Adam Lambert performs Mad World on American Idol….

SEE PICTURES American Idol Top 13 revealed>>

Holly Arnold