King of the Caustic Comments! Trivia Quiz

Answer: October 7 1959

Simon is the second youngest of five sons born to Eric and Julie Cowell. Father Eric was a director of the board at EMI records, but sadly died of a heart attack in 1999. Mother Julie was a dancer, and Simon was born in the UK seaside resort of Brighton, East Sussex.

Answer: Postroom Assistant

Simon knew he wanted to be successful in the music business from an early age, and followed in his father's footsteps by joining "EMI Records". Come a long way since then, hasn't he?

Answer: "Fanfare Records"

Simon was good at spotting a good tune or a marketable band, and "Fanfare Records" had some success with artists such as Sinita. "The Hit Factory" was the name of the company formed by fellow UK "Pop Idol" judge Pete Waterman, and some of the songs Pete wrote with songwriters Stock and Aitken were issued on Simon's label.

Answer: Take That

In a recent TV interview, Simon admitted to turning down Take That because he thought singer and songwriter Gary Barlow was "Too fat". The group went on to have many hits, including eight number ones. In the words of Simon himself, "Oops!"

Answer: "So Macho"

"So Macho" reached number two in June 1986. It was, of course, recorded on Simon's "Fanfare" label! Simon claims that he always manages to stay good friends with his ex-girlfriends, and is still in touch with Sinita.

Answer: High waisted trousers and tight shirts

Simon has been much mocked for his inclination for wearing such high waisted trousers! If Simon finds an item of clothing that he really likes, he always buys an extra pair or two.

Answer: "This Is Your Life"

Recorded in June 2003, Simon Cowell was the last person to be shown the famous red book by presenter Michael Aspel, who decided to quit after 15 years on the long running show. "Pop Idol" winner Will Young declined an offer to appear on the show, as he always felt Simon preferred the runner-up, Gareth Gates. Simon has also been honoured by a waxwork model in "Madame Tussaud's museum and a guest voice in an episode of "The Simpsons"!

Answer: The Spice Girls

The Spice Girls dismissed Simon Fuller as their manager in 1998. He later went on to create the manufactured S Club 7, who had huge success with television shows and hit singles.

Answer: Jimmy and Scott Osterman

Ant and Dec (Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly) have a weekend TV show called "Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway", and the spoof audition was shown as a segment on the show. Playing the parts of Jimmy and Scott Osterman, two brothers from Denver, the duo performed "Opposites Attract", which was, of course, a former hit single for "Amercian Idol" judge Paula Abdul. Simon watched in horror as Ant and Dec sang very badly, but became suspicious as they did an appalling dance. I will not write here the words he used to describe the cheeky Geordie pranksters when he realised he had become the victim of a joke! Ant and Dec were previously actors in the childrens drama series "Byker Grove", where they played the parts of PJ and Duncan.

They have also had chart success, with 15 hit singles to their credit.

Answer: "I Don't Mean To Be Rude But..."

The book should make a very interesting read! Love him or loathe him, Simon Cowell has certainly made an impact on both British and American TV screens. His sarcastic put-downs to hapless young would be pop stars are rapidly becoming legendary, and Simon has often had to employ bodyguards to protect him from angry "Pop Idol" rejects.

His mum Julie believes he is not really malicious, but is just honest and says what he feels. Perhaps it is better to be honest right from the start, but most of us sometimes do cringe a bit at some of Simon's caustic comments! P.S.

A while after writing this quiz, I brought Simon's autobiography, and it really is a good read. Full of anecdotes about his life and career, and, of course, some typical Simon waspish comments regarding certain pop stars!