Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman relax in Barbados after X Factor axe

13

View
comments

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman enjoyed an idyllic beach day in Barbados on Thursday – hours after it emerged the music mogul had ‘axed’ The X Factor after 17 years. 

The businessman, 61, and New Yorker Lauren, 44, looked to be having the time of their lives as they splashed about in the ocean and soaked up the sun looking worlds away from any dramas at home. 

On Wednesday evening, it was reported that Simon has pulled the plug on the ITV talent show – which launched in 2004 and last aired in 2018 – because he doesn’t want the programme to ‘become a bit of a joke.’ 

Far from mourning the loss of the show, the youthful star hit the waters with a snorkel in place while his stunning partner put on a show-stopping display in a hot pink strapless swimsuit and chic straw hat. 

Simon looked in total relaxation mode as he hit the beach in his swimming trunks, with his age-defying torso on full display following his recent health and lifestyle overhaul. 

Lauren looked simply sensational in her strapless number, which highlighted all her best bits, while she made sure to keep the sun off her youthful complexion with large sunglasses and a straw hat by Valentino.  

While he relaxed, The X Factor news hit headlines back home. The X Factor format is still successful around the globe yet it seems Simon has accepted in the UK ‘the show has become slightly stale’ and so has reportedly decided to ‘shelve it’ for five years, but sources are claiming it’s now ‘unlikely’ to ever return.

A show insider told The Sun: ‘Globally, it is still a phenomenon and rakes in millions every year. But in the UK, there is no question it has become slightly stale. Simon remains at the top of his game and knows how to make a hit. He owns the rights to the show, and it’s his call — not ITV’s — whether or not he drops it. 

‘Clearly the last thing he wants is for X Factor to fizzle out with a whimper and become a bit of a joke — especially in contrast to the show in its pomp.’   

The source explained there is the option for Simon to return the talent show in 2023, which would see auditions take place next summer, however the entrepreneur is thought to be focused on his new game show Walk The Line.

MailOnline has contacted Fremantle for comment. An ITV spokseperson told MailOnline: ‘There are no current plans for the next series of The X Factor at this stage.’ 

In March, Dermot O’Leary, 47, told new! magazine of the X Factor: ‘I can’t see it coming back this year. If it does come back, it’ll be 2022 – maybe 2023.’ 

The presenter admitted he is missing filming the show, which launched in 2004, adding: ‘You do miss it, definitely. You work with people for the best part of 10 years and you become a really tight team. And you do miss the buzz of a Saturday night show. There’s something great about it.’ 

The father-of-one has hosted the show since 2007, taking over from former host Kate Thornton, who was at the helm from 2004–2006. Dermot has hosted every series since, aside from in 2015 where he was replaced with former contestant Olly Murs and the late Love Island presenter Caroline Flack. 

Its last traditional series of X Factor aired back in 2018, with judges Simon, Louis Tomlinson, Robbie Williams and his wife Ayda Field on the judging panel. 

Dalton Harris, mentored by former One Direction star Louis, won the series, with Scarlett finishing in second place and Anthony Russell taking third. 

Simon then brought one-off series The X Factor: Celebrity to screens in 2019, which saw famous faces showcase their vocal talents. Megan McKenna was crowned the winner of the show and landed a record contract with Simon’s major music label, Syco. 

The X Factor was then halted in 2020 when coronavirus hit, rendering it impossible to produce the show, which involves mass gatherings for open public auditions.

Their latest Caribbean holiday comes after Simon vowed to do everything he can to ensure he makes a full recovery after breaking his back. 

Simon was left bedridden for months after a devastating electric bike accident at his Malibu home in August last year. The record executive now walks for several hours a day and holds business meetings at 9AM so that he no longer lives like a ‘vampire’. 

Of his new fitness regime, a source told MailOnline: ‘Simon said how he hasn’t worn trainers as much as this in 20 years. He feels fitter than ever before and is keeping to a normal routine rather than being on the phone until into the early hours of the morning.’  

Simon told Extra in February of the horror bike incident: ‘I nearly smashed my spine to pieces!’

The X Factor boss also admitted he ‘couldn’t have got through’ it without his girlfriend Lauren and son Eric, who sweetly called him ‘iron man’ when he first saw his dad with metal rods and screws in his back following surgery.  

Simon met Lauren when she was still married to millionaire property developer Andrew Silverman. 

Their affair became public – and Simon’s life changed – at the end of July 2013 when news broke of Lauren’s pregnancy. In 2015, Simon told Mail on Sunday Event magazine: ‘I’m not proud of the circumstances, I can’t hold my head up about it.’ 

Of the pregnancy, he admitted: ‘This was not something I planned. But I remember going to the first scan with Lauren.  I called him Tad because he looked like a tadpole. Something just kicked in. I felt unbelievably protective of both of them. I just absolutely wanted him. I just hadn’t known that before.’