Jess Hardiman
You’d imagine that many musicians would come and go in Simon Cowell’s star-studded life, given just how many pass through the record exec and talent show judge’s doors.
Just think of all the stars from The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent – both shows he created – there have been over the years, not to mention the people he’s guided on other contests like Pop Idol and American Idol.
But it seems there are a few that have made the cut to Cowell’s inner circle, including X Factor winner Leona Lewis, who managed to maintain a friendship with her ‘mentor’ despite deciding to leave his Syco label in 2014.
“It was [an amicable split] – we're still good, we keep in contact, he checks in on me, I check in on him,” she told The Jonathan Ross Show back in 2021.
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"Throughout the show, he was definitely a real mentor and really involved in helping me with song choices, arrangements. He's been a big supporter.”
And Lewis isn’t the only one, as it turned out Cowell is still pals with another X Factor alum.
In fact, they’ve remained so close that he even walked her down the aisle over the weekend like a proud dad, saying he felt ‘honoured’ to do so.
Yep, Lucy Spraggan – who appeared on the show in 2012 but had to withdraw prematurely due to illness – tied the knot with Emilia Smith in a historic country hotel in East Yorkshire, and Cowell was there to help.
He gave her away alongside Spraggan’s 11-year-old Boston terrier Steve, who was also kitted out in a black bow tie.
"It was perfect," Spraggan, 32, told Hello!, adding: "Simon and I were standing outside the door and my song started playing.
“I was already crying, and Simon definitely had a tear in his eye. I was linking arms with him but then I realised I was holding on to his arm.
“He kept saying, 'You're OK, you're all right.' Then when Emilia walked in with her dad I just sobbed."
It seems Cowell was equally emotional on the big day, admitting he was a bag of nerves beforehand.
"I was very honoured to be asked to walk Lucy down the aisle,” the music mogul told the outlet.
"I considered it a very big deal. As soon as she asked me, I said 'yes'.
"On the day I was actually quite nervous because I've never been asked before. And then very proud and happy and emotional.
"The best way of describing our relationship is that it feels like we've been friends for life."
He continued: "Being asked to walk her down the aisle made me realise the significance and importance of that role.
"And throughout the day, I was thinking even though it's been a relatively short time, we do feel like family, and we share a very special bond."