Simon Cowell wants to bring the X Factor to the next round of party leaders’ TV election debates – if they ever happen – compete with music, fire and a clapometer.
Cowell threw his hat into the ring to produce the next pre-election debates, the source of much wrangling between politicians and broadcasters ahead of the last election with David Cameron refusing to take part in more than one.
“I would love to do that. I’d do it in a heartbeat. 100% I’d have walk-ons, music, fire … and a trap door if people didn’t like what they said,” Cowell told the new issue of Radio Times.
“And I’d definitely have a clapometer. I am deadly serious. Can we start a petition? I really would love a chance to do that.”
It is not the first time Cowell has looked to bring his particular brand of Saturday night entertainment to the political arena.
In 2009, Cowell said he wanted to make a political X Factor discussion show, to talk about the big issues of the day, including a red phone on stage allowing No 10 to call into the programme to explain its position.
He said there could be “some kind of referendum type TV show where you can speak on both sides and then open it up to the public to get an instant poll. It would be a good way for me to get involved in politics … it would be controversial, the public would eventually make the decision.”
Following reports that Louis Walsh had been axed from the next series of the X Factor, which will be given an entirely new look in the autumn following a long-term decline in ratings, Cowell said: “Louis is a great friend and a brilliant judge but we really still haven’t made any final decisions.”
When it returns, the ITV singing contest will be presented by Olly Murs and Caroline Flack, replacing Dermot O’Leary.
Cowell added: “And just to be clear, when they say, ‘Cowell wields axe!’ I’m not the only one making the decision – there’s about 30 people involved.”
Cowell admitted he is not entirely honest with the younger acts on Britain’s Got Talent. “Obviously. Sometimes you have to tell what’s called ‘a kind lie’,” he said.
“With a kid dance act, for example, that’s not very good … I obviously can’t say what I really think. Especially if they’re a bit fragile … Being mediocre is the worst thing.”
Cowell denied letting down some of the acts after they have won his talent shows.
“I hear stories about artists who say we didn’t do enough, but we did everything we normally do. I can’t make the public go and buy something if they don’t want to buy it,” he said.
“The public will determine whether an act finds success beyond the show. I always want incredible things to happen but if you spend a year making a record and you put the record out and nothing … I’ve always believed an artist determines their own career. We can put some money up, we can help them, we can advise them, but you need someone who has got talent and who has got that determination.”
He said of Britain’s Got Talent success story Susan Boyle: “I am happiest about Susan … It was a turning point for the show and for me actually, as a person.
“It sounds like a cliche but she made me realise that you can’t judge a book by its cover. When she came out, I remember thinking, ‘God, I hope you’re not going to sing, because I just…’
“And then it was amazing. I deliberately kept me in (the edit) looking like a horrible person as a reminder of what can happen.”
Cowell called his own decision to turn down Take That before they found fame “a stupid mistake” but added: “It happens.”
