Set to warm viewers’ heart, this Saturday will see an on-air reconciliation between Simon Cowell and a former Britain’s Got Talent winner.
The BGT judge had formerly snubbed 2011 champ Jai McDowall by saying he “wasn’t one of the best” on the show.
But after the 33-year-old’s return to the series for Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, Simon was forced to eat his words.
In an interview with The Sun, the 59-year-old judge made a formal apology to the Scottish singer and took back his snide statement.
Simon said: “I did feel when I saw him again that he’s the definition of a proud man.
“He didn’t sulk — he just came back to prove a point. And he did. I knew I had to apologise to him at that moment.
He went on: “It gave me a chance to say something publicly I should have said some time ago.
(Image: ITV / BGT)
“But it was also the fact he had the guts to come back and compete, knowing I wasn’t that supportive the first time he was on the show.
“I thought, ‘Good for you — you did very well’. I think he’ll get a lot of work off the back of this show.”
(Image: Getty)
After nabbing the BGT crown eight years ago, Jai received a £100,000 prize and performed for the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.
Though he was signed to Simon’s label, Syco Music, after his win, he was dropped the following year due to poor album sales.
Impressing the crowds at Wembley Stadium on his return to the Britain’s Got Talent stage, Jai had the chance to prove Simon wrong.
(Image: ITV / BGT)
After his stellar performance, Simon gave him a standing ovation, giving his singing voice the credit it deserved.
Delighted, Jai told him: “You have no idea how much that means — thank you.
“Thank you very much, Simon, for everything the show has given me. It has given me the lifestyle I can be happy about and the ability to follow my dreams — and I am so thankful for that.”
