Simon Cowell on Britain's Got Talent: 'I get a call from the Queen once a week'

11 Apr 2014

Simon Cowell has joked about having a close relationship with the Queen."I get a phone call from her once a week," said the Britain's Got Talent judge, speaking at the show's press launch. "She says, 'More singers this year Simon, get a Brit to win this year. "No seriously, if the royal family didn't like it, they wouldn't let us do the performance on the Royal Variety and it is what makes the show unique."

Simon will be returning as a judge on the eighth series of BGT

"I think that's one of the reasons why we get so many people from around the world entering the show," he said. "Because it is a huge deal for them to perform for the royals. I don't get any calls, really. But I do think they like it. "Simon, 54, will be returning to television screens on Saturday to act as judge on the ITV talent show. The music mogul launched Britain's Got Talent in 2007 and each year, the competition's winner is given the honour of performing in front of the Queen and members of the royal family at the Royal Variety Performance in London.

Simon will be joined by fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams on the panel as the eighth series returns.

Simon and American girlfriend Lauren Silverman

While head judge Simon recently welcomed the birth of his son Eric with girlfriend Lauren Silverman in February, it looks as if the new dad hasn't lost his frank approach to critiquing contestants.

Simon admits he is 'not proud' of his affair with Lauren

When asked whether he appreciated the younger acts more, Simon, who brought along his two terrier dogs to the press launch, joked, "Well my dogs kind of got me warmed up for that — Squiddly and Diddly. "I've always liked kids and we've always been kind to the kids on the show. But if someone's useless you're not going to suddenly go, 'You're fantastic,' just because you've had a baby."

Simon and his two dogs Squiddly and Diddly

Simon draws the line on changing nappies

"I had a baby before I had a baby," he added. "Working with David. "The judging panel added that they had been hoping to see more animal acts on the show, after Ashleigh Butler and her brilliant dog Pudsey won the competition in 2012. The talented canine wowed viewers with his skill at mimicking Ashleigh in a dance routine.