Simon Cowell dedicates upcoming X Factor series to late mother Julie

Home Top

Dad died in jail, he sleeps in a shack after his home burned down and he beat the school bullies who stole his pencil: The homeless boy, 9, who does his homework by the light of a McDonald's
BREAKING NEWS: Hollywood star Omar Sharif dies aged 83 'after suffering heart attack in Cairo'
A massive El Nino is coming! Forecasters say 'strong' weather event could bring relief to drought-stricken California
Trump on top: Outspoken tycoon becomes frontrunner in Republican nomination race after winning over Tea Party voters
Confederate flag finally removed from South Carolina state capitol after 50 years - to the chants and cheers of the gathered masses
Eating too quickly, not enough sleep and counting calories: The ten hidden reasons your diet isn't working... and how to fix them
Greek prime minister capitulates over taxes, privatisation and pensions and goes cap in hand to Europe for more money... but now has to sell convince his hard-left party to agree
$***MINIMUM FEE TO BE AGREED BEFORE USE***\nEXCLUSIVE: **NO USA TV AND NO USA WEB** MINIMUM FEE APPLY** Ariana Grande and her new backup dancer boyfriend Ricky Alvarez seen in a Wolfee Donuts store which got dangerously close to some powdered donuts . Ricky and Ariana, engage in some serious mouth-to-mouth PDA in this security cam video obtained by TMZ.com ,which wouldn't have come to light if not for the donut sniffing or near licking, incident.\nSources inside Wolfee Donuts in Lake Elsinore, CA tell TMZ the couple came in on Saturday, and decided to play truth or dare with the goods -- daring each other to lick powdered jelly donuts on the counter. Time to lick the Donuts!\n\nPictured: Ariana Grande, Ricky Alvarez\nRef: SPL1072899 070715 EXCLUSIVE\nPicture by: TMZ.com / Splash News\n\nSplash News and Pictures\nLos Angeles:\t310-821-2666\nNew York:\t212-619-2666\nLondon:\t870-934-2666\nphotodesk@splashnews.com\n$ 'I was so disgusted with myself': Ariana Grande apologises for 'donut fiasco' and 'I hate America' comment... but fails to say sorry to the actual shop
Pictured: Moment reclusive To Kill a Mockingbird author Harper Lee sees the cover of anticipated second novel for the first time - as fans and critics rush to give their verdict after release of first chapter
Squillionaires, sex tapes and a marriage of two unlikely dynasties: She's the derriere-flashing sister of Paris Hilton. He's a Rothschild with a tragic past. Today, they'll wed in Diana's old palace
'I don't believe in man hating': Women reveal why they are NOT feminists on secrets app... citing 'gross hairy armpits' and 'bad hygiene' as reasons
EXCLUSIVE: Bernie Sanders' very 1960s love life revealed - his first wife, the woman who had his son, and the sugar shack home where he lived as a 'revolutionary'
An ex-lover's name, foreign misspellings and dolphins: The top 10 most removed tattoo designs... and the celebrities that had them inked on their bodies
Who knew they were friends? Former First Daughter Chelsea Clinton is chic in black at Nicky Hilton's pre-wedding party
Ex-Utah Jazz dancer admits having sex with 17-year-old student after her husband hired private investigator who caught them in act
Revealed: The astonishing FIFTY-FOUR countries and groups battling ISIS... so why haven't they been crushed already?
July 4th terror attacks were THWARTED: FBI Director says law enforcement stopped several plots to 'kill people in the United States'
Russian oligarch dubbed 'Putin's banker' whose lover complained she couldn't live on $15,000 a week goes on the run in France
Somalia terror group Al Shabaab 'to pledge allegiance to ISIS' in terrifying expansion of Caliphate
What did I do wrong, mom? Couple selling their home are horrified to discover daughter, 2, covered herself in paint and then left footprints all over the house
Kate and William were well prepared! As the official portrait of Princess Charlotte's christening is released, a photo history of royal baptisms over the last 100 years
From champagne-fueled parties to trips in private jets, anonymous ten-year-old lifts the lid on the luxurious lifestyle of the Hamptons' wealthiest 'kidults'
Salma Hayek lends some star quality to Day Three of the 0.01%'s Sun Valley fat cat camp - while a bored looking Priscilla Chan is seen tagging along with husband Mark Zuckerberg
Tom Selleck to settle claims he stole 'truckloads of water' to use on his 60-acre California ranch and avocado farm in midst of crippling drought

Put on a brave face just three days after his mother's passing
His family said they were 'devastated' at Julie Cowell's death, aged 89
Mrs Cowell was married to EMI music executive Eric, who died in 1999
The first Manchester auditions had been postponed from the weekend

By Lucy Mapstone and Becky Freeth for MailOnline

Published: 02:26 EST, 9 July 2015 | Updated: 03:01 EST, 9 July 2015

View
comments

Simon Cowell has decided to dedicate the upcoming series of X Factor this his late mother, because it was her 'favourite' show.

The grieving music boss returned to work on Wednesday, just three days after losing beloved Julie Cowell, aged 89, to commence the filming schedule with opening auditions in Manchester.

The 55-year-old was given a standing ovation as he put on a brave face for the crowds, having postponed the original start date from Monday to allow him spend time grieving.

Scroll down for video

Brave: Simon Cowell received a standing ovation from crowds at the Manchester opening audition of The X Factor on Wednesday as he returned to work three days after mother Julie's death

The X Factor boss told The Sun newspaper: 'You all know I had something happen in my personal life this week. Well. this was my mum's favourite show so I am doing it in memory of her.'

Even old 'frenemy' Cheryl Fernandez-Versini was pleased to see the lead judge and added: ' We're so pleased Simon is here, we've got two fabulous new judges, it's so exciting.'

The pair, who reprised their roles within the singing competition last year, were joined by panel newbies Rita Ora and Nick Grimshaw, who this year complete the line-up and therefore replace Mel B and long-serving Louis Walsh.

Sad news: Simon's mother Julie (pictured here in 2007) passed away on Sunday at the age of 89

Still smiling: The X Factor boss left with a smile on his face, having received some strong support

Simon was still smiling as he headed home that night, having decided to skip the red carpet on arrival on Wednesday.

The Syco music boss stepped out of his Manchester hotel for his first public appearance late in the afternoon, giving a polite wave to fans who lined the streets to show their support.

He took to Twitter only the previous evening with gratitude to say: 'My family lost someone very special on Sunday. My Mum.

'I am overwhelmed with gratitude for all of the kind messages received. Thank you. X'

Support: The previous evening he thanked fans for the 'kind messages' via Twitter

Dedication: Simon explained that The X Factor was mother Julie's favourite show and that he would be dedicating the upcoming series to her

Catching up: Simon stayed faithful to his commitments to his show and addressed the issue in front of the crowds

Have they got the X Factor? Rita Ora (second left) and Nick Grimshaw (left) join the panel with Simon Cowell (right) and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini (second right), as well as new presenters Caroline Flack and Olly Murs

Auditions for the ITV talent show were due to begin in Manchester on Monday but were cancelled in the immediate aftermath of Mrs Cowell's passing to allow the family some time.

The news was confirmed in a statement on Sunday, which said that the loss had left them 'devastated.'

The first try-outs for the new-look show, saw Cowell surrounded by a mixture of old and new friends, as fellow judge Cheryl joined Rita and Nick to make up the panel.

Back to business: Simon made his first public appearance on Wednesday for the Manchester auditions of The X Factor, three days after his mother's death

Simon Cowell in high spirits for first X Factor auditions

Grieving: The X Factor boss was in town to resume the schedule for X Factor, which had been cancelled earlier in the week

Meanwhile, new presenters - known for their former Xtra Factor slot on ITV2 - Olly Murs and Caroline Flack were also there to offer support to the X Factor boss as they replace Dermot O'Leary.

Cowell made no depature from his signature white T-shirt, jeans and black shoes combination but hid largely behind tinted Aviator shades.

The head judge was uncharacteristically shy, having kept quiet on the subject until the previous evening when he paid tribute to fans who'd taken the time to send their well-wishing.

Simon's brother Tony similarly broke his silence on social media and said earlier in the week: 'Very sad night tonight. We will all miss Mum so very much. She was the heart and soul of our family.'

Staying strong: Mr Cowell had thanked fans for their support the previous evening as he prepared to meet with the public

Support: One fan even appeared to stop and give some kind words to the music boss

Tender moment: The star seemed to be very appreciative of the public support

Mrs Cowell was married to EMI music executive Eric, who died in 1999, aged 81, and is now the namesake for Cowell's first child with girlfriend Lauren Silverman.

A representative confirmed the change to the schedule earlier this week, explaining: 'They were due to start today and carry on into Tuesday and Wednesday. Today's have been cancelled and we have not made any decisions beyond that.'

A spokesman for Mr Cowell's family said: 'Today our beloved mum Julie passed away. Anyone who had met her would know what a truly special and kind lady she was.

'We are heartbroken and will miss her terribly, but she is now at peace.'

Mrs Cowell was the mother of four boys - Simon and his brothers Nicholas, Tony and Michael, and step-mother to John and June.

Close-knit: Simon and Julie (centre) pictured at her 70th birthday with her children and late husband Eric (right)

A spokesman for the family added: 'We would like to thank the media for kindly respecting Julie's privacy throughout and we politely request continued privacy for the entire family at this particularly difficult time.'

A friend of Simon added to The Sun newspaper: 'Simon is absolutely devastated. His mum was the most beloved person in his life and they were incredibly close.

'But at least she got to see him settle down and start a family which was one of the great wishes of her life. Julie had been unwell for some time and she was in a home. But Simon and his brothers were in constant contact with her and the family remained very close.

'They had been paying regular visits to her bedside and it's been a God send that Simon hadn't had to do too much work in the US over the last year. He's completely heartbroken.'

'She was the heart and soul of our family': Simon's brother Tony shared his sadness on Twitter after the loss of his mother

'He's devastated': A source close to the 55-year-old has claimed he was 'devastated' after losing his mum, who was 'the most beloved person in his life'

Simon Cowell goes on holiday with beloved mum Julie in 2005

The sad news of Julie's death came the day before the new series of The X Factor was due to get underway, with the first auditions taking place in Manchester.

And it was revealed on the official Applause Store Twitter account as the news was announced that the auditions had been cancelled, and that they had alerted ticket holders.

'We are so sorry - but due to unforeseen circumstances tomorrow's (Monday) @TheXFactor Manchester auditions have been cancelled.... All ticket holders have been emailed. We are so sorry :0(,' they announced on the social networking site.

The 55-year-old TV and music star was famously close to his mother Julie, who was a strong pillar in his life, especially after her husband Eric - Simon's father and his own son's namesake - died in 1999, aged 81.

Cancelled: It was revealed on the official Applause Store Twitter account that the first X Factor auditions - which were to take place in Manchester on Monday - were cancelled

Apologies: ITV are thoughts to have cancelled the first day of filming for the new series of X Factor

She was on-hand last year when the X Factor boss welcomed his first son, reportedly meeting him just a few weeks after his birth.

He and girlfriend Lauren Silverman took a special flight over from America - where they lived at the time - to London to see his mother and introduce her to her adorable grandson.

Simon has previously opened up about the loss of his father, 16 years ago, admitting it was the worst time of his life.

The former EMI executive succumbed to a heart attack in 1999 aged 81, while he was at home with Julie.

'I can't lie, it was the worst day of my life,' he confessed during an interview with Piers Morgan on his Tonight Show on CNN.

'It was a horrible horrible time,' he added.

At the time, he credited his father with giving him a unique ability to use his charms to be able to reach out and connect with anybody regardless of their background.

A loving grandma: Simon was thrilled last year when he was able to introduce his son Eric to his mum Julie, as he reportedly flew from the US to the UK just so she could meet the tot

'He said to me - because he was successful, my dad, when he ran his company - he said, 'everybody around you has an invisible sign on their head which says 'make me important', Simon revealed.

'What I understood from that is that you've got to recognise that everyone around you wants to be recognised, wants to be appreciated.

'What I try and remember is that when I make a show, everyone has played a part in it. The show is created, truthfully, by 500 people every week.'

During the very same interview, Simon gushed about his mother, who he openly adored, admitting that he loves her cooking so much he actually once refused to take her out for a meal.

'I drove down there recently because I really wanted my mum to cook me lunch,' he said.

'I said, 'I'm going to come down tomorrow for lunch. She said, 'great, we'll book a hotel'. But I said, 'no I want your lunch'.'

'So eventually she did cook for me. But I like those days.'