Simon Cowell rejects $100m to stay with American Idol

[HMG] – Despite reportedly refusing $100-million to stay with American Idol, Simon Cowell insists there were no hard feelings over his decision to quit.

“If I thought it would lead to the death of ‘Idol,’ I genuinely wouldn’t have done it.” he told Page Six. “We’re all sure that ‘Idol’ will continue successfully…Everyone seemed quite cool about it.”

Among those who achieved such air-conditioned karma was Cowell’s replacement, Ellen DeGeneres.

“Ellen saw the funny side,” says Simon. “She was kidding around with me, saying: ‘On my first day you decide to quit?’ But she’s a professional – I don’t think it was a total surprise.”

Blessed with a face no sentient being could ever tire of punching, the 51-year old Brit refuses to disclose how much Fox offered him to keep judging on Idol, and has now quit the prime-time cash-cow to bring his British-based talent show, ‘X-Factor’ to US screens as well;

“On ‘X Factor’ you get to mentor the artists. It’s frustrating on Idol when you’re there as a judge and you haven’t been able to change their songs, or how they perform, or what they wear.” he complains.

The other judges have not been decided, but Cowell has a clear list of his most-wanted picks;

“Tommy Mottola would be a good choice. He was the head of Sony and guided Mariah Carey – he knows what he’s talking about.”

And most ‘Idol’ fans would love to see Paula Abdul again. What are the chances, Simon was asked?

“I’ve been talking to Paula for a long time. It was always my intention to go on working with her. But the show’s got to be different from ‘Idol.’ – there are some big changes planned.”

Great! Perhaps we can start with having Simon’s ego surgically removed so it won’t block the sun?

With his well-practiced gift for media shyness and demure understatement you can bet we’ll be hearing more about this…