Simon Cowell makes emotional exit from American Idol
TELEVISION’S Mr Nasty became Mr Softy when Simon Cowell made an emotional exit from American Idol.
The normally acerbic judge was all sweetness and light as he hugged former co-star Paula Abdul and took his final bow on the US talent show after nine years.
In the episode, shown last night in the UK, he looked almost tearful as he was serenaded by past winners.
Simon, who once described a contestant’s singing as “like cats jumping off the Empire State Building”, said he decided to quit so he can bring the X Factor to the US next year.