TV’s ‘Mr Nasty’ Simon Cowell breaks down at gala for dying children

SIMON COWELL may be best known for his cutting comments on The X Factor, but his softer side was revealed when he struggled to hold back sobs at a charity event for terminal children.
Simon’s partner Lauren Silverman had to rush to his side to comfort him when the usually terse talent show judge was overcome with emotion at Together For Short Lives on Tuesday night.
The sight that set the 59-year-old off was a video of him spending time with sick children, but Lauren, with whom he shares four-year-old son Eric, was on hand to help him out.
As the music mogul fought back tears, his partner, 41, bravely filled in — getting quite choked up herself in the process.
She said: ‘Oh God, I think what Simon was trying to say is that tonight is very important because no matter how much money we raise it’s also about raising awareness.
‘And I think anyone in this room… I don’t even know what I’m saying, I’m just trying to speak for Simon — anyone in this room who’s a mum or a dad, or who has a heart, frankly, can understand that seeing somebody in these situations is inconceivable, unimaginable.
‘But what Together for Short Lives and all these charities do for these families and the children is unbelievable.’
After regaining his composure, Simon was able to speak for himself, adding that working with the charity puts any problem of his own into perspective.
‘I would say to anyone genuinely just go down there and see for yourself what it means to the families, to the staff to show your support,’ he said.
‘Everything you think is a problem in your lives, trust me it is nothing. I think what you guys do is incredible — I couldn’t do this on a day to day basis.’
Author: Anna Thomson