Catching the hidden gems

Cowell has established himself as just about the only man who can still reliably move "units"-even if they're digital now-on that scale. TV viewers from across are profoundly indebted to him for bringing forth shows like Britain’s Got Talent, American Idol and X Factor-isn't fundamentally about music. In an email interaction Simon talks about his Excerpts from an interview with Simon on Britain’s Got Talent

What goes through your mind when you're about to start the audition tour of the country?

I have to mentally prepare myself. When it finishes you have absorbed somuch emotion from people throughout the day because they have told you their story. Then you've also got the audience behind you so you feel totally and utterly drained at the end of the day. But you remind yourself you’re there to be focused so that if you see someone who has potential to do well, you have to be on your game at whatever point of the day.

You’re known for changing things up on your shows, did you consider changing the judging line-up this year?

No, I think - and I hate to admit it - this panel is about as good as we’ve done on any show! I like being on the show but more importantly the other three like being on the show. They genuinely want to find someone talented, particularly the girls.

Do you think your standards are higher this year?

I think I have higher standards than the other three, that's for sure! Sometimes I look at something and it's a pale imitation of what we’ve seen before or I have seen it before. Particularly with the dog acts. When you have had an act as good as Ashleigh and Pusey, they were famous all over the world.

Some of the dog acts we've had on the show this year, it's not just that the dogs aren't good, but the owners are terrible. They are really boring! Also, I think there are a lot of people now who think, because they are going to sing opera, we are all going to jump out of our chairs. But we’re not unless you are amazing. I think the audience at home feel the same way.