I am loving the X Factor this season. It just seems to get better and better – thanks to the wonderful Simon Cowell, of course. When Julie Burchill and I co-wrote our book about hypocrisy, we decided to name five ‘anti-hypocrites’ – five people who represent the opposite of hypocrisy. At the top of this league of joy, I included Simon Cowell because I admire his attitude to fame. He is never one to bleat, and takes the rough with the smooth.

I wrote:

“Nobody could accuse pop’s Mr Nasty of being publicity shy or financially temperate, yet his pursuit of fame and fortune has always been beautifully transparent and consistent. Unlike those who claim to be in the business for the love of the craft, yet are more bothered about pound notes than musical notes, he happily admits he can go for weeks without listening to music for pleasure. He’s also always stuck true to his belief that once you seek out the spotlight, you cannot moan about ‘the downside of fame’.”

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