Simon Cowell, the notoriously sharp-tongued judge on ITV's flagship talent show Britain's Got Talent, has reportedly been slapped with an official chewing gum ban by the programme's producers. This drastic measure comes after multiple incidents where Cowell's gum-chewing habits left a sticky mess behind the scenes.
The Sticky Situation Unfolds
According to insiders, producers discovered an unpleasant surprise beneath the judges' table following a recent round of auditions. A source revealed to The Sun that Simon, 66, is "always chewing gum on set" and has consequently "left producers with a real headache." The attempt to enforce the ban, however, has proven challenging, as "telling Simon 'No' is a task in itself."
Gum Mishaps and Wardrobe Malfunctions
The gum-related woes didn't stop there. During filming, Cowell was said to have had a wad of chewing gum inadvertently stuck to his high-waisted black trousers. The insider added, "He didn't have a clue he had gum stuck to his trousers as he walked out on stage in front of thousands of fans." This embarrassing wardrobe malfunction likely contributed to the producers' decision to implement the strict prohibition.
Cowell has previously admitted that his most "annoying habit" is chewing on a special brand of gum called CB12, which retails for around £5 and promises to eliminate bad breath. He confessed that he chews very loudly and it "drives everyone mad," underscoring the persistent nuisance his habit has caused on set.
Amanda Holden on Cowell's Return to Form
In related news, fellow judge Amanda Holden, 55, has commented on Simon's evolving demeanour on the show. She stated that after years of a softer approach, Cowell has returned to his straight-talking, unfiltered self. "Simon is back. He's been Mr Soft in recent years, and I think it has a lot to do with the fact that KSI is so honest on the other end of the panel," Holden explained.
She elaborated, "He's not honest in a bad way, just very to the point, and he doesn't sugar coat anything. I think Simon's just gone, 'actually, do you know what? Whatever you're saying, I agree with that as well. And I don't know why I just didn't say that in the beginning.' I'm glad to see that Simon is no longer being soft serve ice-cream, although it was nice for a year or so!"
A New, Chaotic Energy for the Show
Holden added that this series feels "very loose and very chaotic," crediting KSI's succinct and unreserved feedback for revitalising the dynamic. "We've got the old Simon back, and his one liners are better than ever and I'm loving that!" she enthused, suggesting that the gum ban hasn't dampened Cowell's iconic wit.
Behind-the-Scenes Access for Viewers
Simon Cowell himself has teased that the new series will offer unprecedented behind-the-scenes access. He revealed, "Fans can expect lots of surprises. We've tried to make it different this year. The intention is to open up as much of the background of the show as possible so that the viewer can see everything, what goes on behind the scenes, what it's like to be a contestant, what it's like to work on the show."
He likened the experience to "opening up a lot more to let people see how the show's made. We’re letting people behind the Wizard of Oz’s curtain, you could say." When asked if audiences will see a more personal side of the judges, Cowell responded, "A bit, yeah! You can expect to see things you’ve never seen from us."
However, he emphasised that the focus is also on the contestants and crew, describing the production as "an army." Cowell noted, "I think people are interested at home, personally, about things like how we set up an act between auditions, the stuff that we see in the theatre. I think it's important to kind of show all of that, have it a bit rough around the edges. We always say we’re a circus coming to town, well now you’re going to see all the chaos it takes to bring it alive."
This combination of behind-the-scenes chaos and Cowell's gum-related antics promises to make the latest series of Britain's Got Talent one of the most talked-about yet, blending personal quirks with professional revelations in true entertainment fashion.
