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SIMON's scare
X Factor judge Simon Cowell ‘feared he had broken his neck’ during ‘terrifying’ fall down stairs
WHEN SIMON COWELL missed the first live X Factor show after a fall, he was ribbed mercilessly by his fellow judges.
But the plunge down his stairs was no laughing matter – he feared he had suffered a crippling injury.
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Speaking in depth about the incident for the first time, Simon said: “I was lying on my back thinking, ‘I hope I haven’t broken my neck’.
“But the NHS staff were the most amazing people I’ve ever met, genuinely. Fortunately it was all fine.”
Speaking at the Music Industry Trust award night for Sony boss Rob Stringer at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, Simon also admitted he hasn’t told young son Eric about the accident on October 27.
He said: “He probably would have told me off, and I didn’t want to worry him. He’s only three.”
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Despite returning to the show at the weekend, the X Factor still struggled to keep up with Strictly in the Saturday ratings.
From Joe McElderry to Chloe Khan: The 10 most mind-blowing X Factor contestant transformations ever
But since his fall, Simon has a changed view on such matters.
He explained: “It does make you realise what’s truly important in life.”
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Simon Cowell gives a thumbs up after being rushed to hospital, fainting the day before X Factor live shows start
Now Simon is looking to build on the fact that the ITV show has already put two acts in the iTunes download chart.
By Christmas, he wants the acts to dominate the top ten.
Simon said: “Five in the top ten would be amazing, that’s really what it’s all about.”
It’s an ambitious target – but if anyone can do it, Simon can.
Simon Cowell returns to The X Factor after missing previous week due to injury
READ ON FOR THE REST OF DAN WOOTTON'S BIZARRE COLUMN
Saara bid fin-ished
THE BBC will be kicking itself after hearing SAARA AALTO’s latest news.
Just last week I revealed Auntie had tapped up last year’s X Factor runner-up to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in Portugal next year.
But Saara has now decided to represent her home country of Finland after getting a better offer.
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In an exclusive interview in capital Helsinki, the singer revealed: “I am very honoured and very excited to be representing Finland next year.
"I have really wanted this for years so I am very, very excited and this is the perfect timing.
“I can use all the experience from X Factor UK. I know what I’m doing on a big stage.
“It’s going to be my biggest performance yet.”
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She will be teaming up with X Factor’s creative director BRIAN FRIEDMAN on production for her Eurovision set.
Saara’s entry comes after I revealed she had cut ties with SIMON COWELL and Sony and signed a record deal with Warner instead.
She’s certainly got a big year ahead.
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- Self ashored: GEORDIE Shore’s CHARLOTTE CROSBY has revealed she went under the knife to correct her “uniboob” after online trolling.
She told Heat: “Now if I want to post a picture I don’t have to worry.” - Dinner date: TOWIE’S TOMMY MALLET reckons co-star JAMES “ARG” ARGENT risks losing his new slimmer physique if he starts a relationship with GEMMA COLLINS.
He said to Reveal: “All they do together is eat.” - Run of the mill: EZRA MILLER, who plays The Flash in the upcoming film Justice League, is at ease as an openly gay actor.
He told Shortlist: “Pressure comes from a block. When I came out, I took the block away.” - Nat done yet: ATOMIC KITTEN’s NATASHA HAMILTON is a mum of four but isn’t ruling out more with fiancé Charles Gay.
She told Now: “Charley doesn’t have any children and we talk about it.”
Raye-so sharp
RISING star RAYE has already worked with LITTLE MIX, RITA ORA and RIHANNA.
And now she has another huge name to add to her ever-growing list of collaborations.
The Brit singer has revealed she has been in the studio with grime king STORMZY.
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In an exclusive interview, Raye said: “Stormzy is a really good friend of mine, we did a song together about a year and a bit ago.
“He’s amazing, I love him so much. We are working together on new stuff.
";We’ve had a lot of ideas and stuff that we’ve put down together so we’ll see what happens.”
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She also hinted that she could work with JONAS BLUE again, adding: “He’s my guy. We write a lot together so watch this space.”
It comes after she released her no-nonsense track Decline last week, about getting over an ex.
If Raye’s new work is as good as her latest tune, it will be a huge hit.
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