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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Monkey

Simon Cowell's first cut

The Shining - axe and Shelley Duvall
As polished by Simon Cowell: Jack Nicholson's axe in the Shining. Photograph: Ronald Grant Archive

What was Simon Cowell's first job in showbusiness? Would you believe polishing Jack Nicholson's axe in the Shining? As Cowell's half-brother recounted, the TV star lived near the Elstree studio where the film was made and worked as a runner on-set in 1980. "I remember him saying he used to clean Jack Nicholson's axe between takes for the most famous scenes. He took it very seriously and was

very proud. It was so shiny you could see your face in it," Tony told the Sun. "It's a far cry from where he is now. I think the only thing he shines these days are his teeth."

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