Simon Cowell was visibly tearful during Saturday night's X Factor Celebrity final and the reason why he cried has now been explained.
The 60-year-old music mogul was seen wiping away tears after watching children from Demelza Hospice perform during the unveiling of a new charity single.
Simon had reportedly become close to some of the children after visiting them as part of being Vice-President of Shooting Star Children's Hospices.
A source told The Sun that Simon has "has a personal connection with them after visiting the hospice several times recently."
They went on to reveal that Simon had visited the hospice a couple weeks ago and "had to be so strong in front of the children and the families, not cry or seem upset."
Simon apparently felt it was "really important," to not show emotion at the time but "when he watched their video played on the show, he was overcome with emotion and couldn’t hold back his tears.”
During the performance, Simon's 42-year-old girlfriend Lauren Silverman rushed to his side as he began crying.
Host Dermot O'Leary also looked moved following the video and went to Simon for comment but the X Factor's head honcho was too upset to respond.
He lifted his glasses before pinching the bridge of his nose and wiping away his tears.
Simon has involved with the charity since 2003, being named Vice-President in 2015 and has hosted an annual event for it since 2012.
Speaking previously about the work the charity does, Simon said: "Everyone involved in the charity does an amazing job caring for babies, children and young people with life-limiting conditions as well as supporting their families.
“I’ve formed a very close bond with the people involved with the charity over the years and it has become extremely close to my heart."
The charity single is a cover of Snow Patrol's Run and all proceeds from the single will be donated to Shooting Star Children’s Hospices as well as Together For Short Lives, the organisation that the hospices belong to.
The single features X Factor Celebrity winner Megan McKenna as well as her fellow finalists Jenny Ryan, V5 and Max and Harvey.
Do you have a story to sell? Get in touch with us at webcelebs@trinitymirror.com or call us direct 0207 29 33033.
