Simon Cowell has been guarded by his trusted minder, Tony Adkins for over 5 years now, but Tony has lashed out at the music mogul after being sacked from The X Factor.

Tony, the 20st slaphead minder has become quite the celebrity in his own right, after booting off rowdy and lippy contestants from the top TV talent show, but the minder has now been replaced with THREE other bodyguards, without any form of explaination.

The Londoner, who has also minded Simon Cowell on his other British talent show, Britain’s Got Talent said: “It feels like a slap in the face. I considered Simon to be a friend but he hasn’t even sent me a text, or asked one of his assistants to contact me to explain what’s happened. After six years together, i just got a phone call from the production team to say they were getting in a new security company.”

Tony continued: “They couldn’t even tell me to my face. I had to hear it on the phone. I feel well and truly shafted.“

Tony has claimed his TV exposure cost him his relationship with partner Michiela, the mother of his five children. They split up just before Christmas after 17 years together. He said: “She didn’t like the long hours i worked. Then i started getting a lot of attention from female fans, which she didn’t like.“

Tony fears his growing fame could have been his downfall, with bosses thinking he was getting a little too much attention. He said: “I was being asked for autographs and photos all the time. It was always the producers who wanted me on screen – as far as i was concerned i was just there to look after Simon. But i do wonder if that’s why they didn’t want me any more, even though it was them who made me the character.” He added: “I used to have a laugh with Simon and had got to know him well over the years. His family was lovely.“

“His brother Tony was even helping Michiela market a snoring aid she had invented. I thought we were all quite close.“

A spokesperson for The X Factor said: “Tony was employed by Talkback Thames and not Simon, as the judges’ guard. I explained to Tony personally that we needed to beef-up our security system for this series as the show is now much bigger. It was nothing against Tony, we just needed to make a change. We haven’t encouraged his on-screen persona but he has appeared in shots behind Simon over the last five years.“

So that’s it then, Tony is gone!!

Add Comment

Simon Cowell has spoken out today, and instead of criticising somebody, he has actually complemented somebody.

To be fair, its one of his acts, so he was bound to say nice things. He has praised Susan Boyle for the music she is currently recording, ready for her first album.

The judge has been working constantly with the Britains Got Talent super-star, despite her loosing the show. Simon  said: “She sounds fantastic on record. Its not all going to be show tunes. It’s not an obvious record but so far, its good. She’s got a really good recording voice, and im going to take my time. She’s happy and i think she’s enjoying the recording process.“

Meanwhile, Simon Cowell has rubbished reports that he’s planning to quit The X Factor after the next series. “Nothing is going to change, we are going to keep all the partnerships. We get on well with everybody and no one is going to fall out.”

Add Comment