Simon Cowell reveals why he walked away from his own TV show: ‘I started to get anxious’

Simon Cowell revealed how he turned down the opportunity to host his own TV show, admitting that the thought of “chatting all day” stressed him out.

The music mogul first gained notoriety in 2001 when he judged Pop Idol and quickly earned the moniker ‘Mr Nasty’ for his no-holds barred critiques.

Over the years, the 63-year-old has judged The X Factor and lent his judging expertise to his Got Talent franchises on both sides of the pond.

Despite his long list of TV credits, Cowell revealed that he once was offered his own show but turned it down as the thought of taking centre stage “really stressed him out”.

Speaking to E! News, the TV personality shared: “I was offered one once and literally I got to the point where they built the set and I started to get anxious and then really stressed out.

“I just walked out of the meeting and I said, ‘I literally couldn’t do this.’

“I just couldn’t talk to people all day long. I’m not very good at talking.”

Last month, Cowell hinted at the possibility of a new X Factor-style show in future during an appearance on the BBC’s The One Show.

The TV star appeared on the sofa alongside singer-songwriter Lucy Spraggan to help promote her new single.

Asked if there would be “a new vehicle to refeed the pop engine”, the pair shared a knowing look and a smile.

“When we started the show in the first place, it was honestly with the feeling that people need a platform,” Cowell said.

“It’s very difficult to get a record deal. It still is today. It’s really, really hard. I would argue it’s harder today to get your music noticed than it was 10 or 15 years ago.

“So, the show did what it intended to do, which was to help people who couldn’t get a record deal for whatever reason … and in a lot of cases, thank God, it did launch careers.”

Spraggan added that such competition shows provided platforms to those who may not “get the same opportunities”.

Reflecting on her comments, Cowell added: “There might be a plan here… there might have been a conversation.”

In July 2021, ITV said there were “no plans” for another series of The X Factor.

The last full series of the pop music TV talent show aired in 2018, although a celebrity edition was broadcast the following year in 2019.