Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell APOLOGISES to Jai McDowall for saying he ‘wasn’t a genuine star’ after he won the show in 2011
Simon Cowell has apologised to Britain’s Got Talent contestant Jai McDowall for saying he ‘wasn’t a genuine star’ following his 2011 win.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge and the singer came face-to-face during the all stars version of the show filmed earlier this year, when Jai returned to perform again in the hope of securing a place in the grand final.
After originally saying Jai ‘wasn’t one of the best’ BGT winners, Simon voiced his remorse when the performer took to the stage eight years later during an episode of Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions, set to air on Saturday.
Is it too late now to say sorry? Simon Cowell has apologised to Britain’s Got Talent contestant Jai McDowall for saying he ‘wasn’t a genuine star’ following his 2011 win
Simon told the Sun: ‘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. It gave me a chance to say something publicly I should have said some time ago.
‘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.’
He’s back! The Britain’s Got Talent judge and the singer came face-to-face during the all stars version of the show filmed earlier this year (pictured on BGT in June 2011)
Regrets: After originally saying Jai ‘wasn’t one of the best’ BGT winners, Simon voiced his remorse when the performer took to the stage eight years later (pictured)
Jai received £100,000, performed at the 2011 Royal Variety Performance and was signed to Syco Music following his BGT win.
However by 2012, due to poor album sales, the singer/songwriter was dropped after fulfilling his one-album contract. He then, ironically, bought a house on Fail Avenue.
In 2013 Jai performed at the March & Rally for Scottish Independence in Edinburgh, and in 2014 he was the support act on the Gareth Gates UK tour.
After Simon slated the singer and suggested that he wasn’t one of their most deserving winners on the show, Jai responded by branding Simon ‘anti-Scottish’.
However it appears that the duo are back on good terms, as following Jais’ most recent performance he receives a standing ovation from Simon.
Jai tells 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.’
Simon told the Sun : ‘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’
