Pop Idol judge hires minders to protect him from angry rejects

Simon Cowell has been forced to hire two bodyguards to protect him from Pop Idol rejects in the US.

He says he has twice been threatened by disappointed hopefuls after auditions for American Idol: Search For A Superstar.

Cowell fears one of the upset rejects may turn out to be armed.

"It was terrifying and I am determined not to let it happen again," Simon told The Sun.

"Now I have hired two bodyguards for when I am over there - I don't want to go anywhere without them after that happened. Next time someone could have a gun."

Cowell explained: "On two separate occasions guys in their 20s waited until the end of their auditions and then tried to hit me. I had to be bundled into a car for my own safety by people who worked on the show. Luckily I wasn't hurt.

"They were both big blokes who I had slagged off - but I never imagined they would try and hit me. Yet people are so much more aggressive in the US - and they don't seem to be able to take my nastiness."

Simon has been auditioning thousands of wannabes in seven cities including New York, Los Angeles and Dallas.

Also on the judging panel are pop star Paula Abdul and veteran record company executive Randy Jackson. American Idol: Search For A Superstar will be shown in the US from June 11.

Ó Ananova.com