Is he a spiteful, malicious little man with ludicrously white teeth? Or is he a great wit who saves America’s top-rated show from becoming an all-out love-in?

Here, we relive 20 of Cowell's finest comments, dished out to contestants, relatives and even dear old Bob Dylan.

1. “You should sue your singing teacher”

6. “Shave off your beard and wear a dress. I think you’d be a great female impersonator”

8. "You have just invented a new form of torture"

9. "If you had lived 2,000 years ago and sung like that, I think they would have stoned you."

12. "I’m tempted to ask if you sang that the night before your wife left you."

19. "You are fabulous but it was the singing that was slightly off-putting."

20. Simon: "What normally happens when you sing in public, Deborah?"

Deborah: "I've had a few people cry."

Simon: "I can believe that."

18. “Can I ask you a question? Do you and your girlfriend sing together at home? Have the police ever called?"