Simon Cowell has revealed whether he plans to retire as he approaches his 65th birthday.
Fresh from appearing on this year’s edition of Britain’s Got Talent, the TV personality recently announced that he was on the hunt for the next big boyband following the success of One Direction.
In a new interview with Hello! ahead of his birthday later this year, Simon insisted he won’t be slowing down anytime soon.
“Oh god no, I’ll probably drop dead doing what I’m doing,” he said. “As long as I think there’s a need or a purpose and it’s something I can do well, I’m up for it.”
Simon went on to recall his late father Eric’s retirement, explaining that he had “no choice” but to stop working for a big company.
“I remember the day my dad retired – it was very sad because he really didn’t want to stop working, but he had no choice as he worked for a big company,” he said.
“He said to me when I was young, ‘If you can try to work for yourself, do’, and it always stuck in my head.
“Seeing what he went through was hard. His brain was still amazing and he could have done that job for another 20 years.”
Simon’s fiancée Lauren Silverman, who he shares his 10-year-old son Eric with, went on to reveal that the X Factor creator “marches to the beat of his own drum”.
She added: “In my own quiet way, I always talk about legacy with Simon and ask him what he wants to leave behind because he’s done it all. I’m absolutely supportive of Simon and all the things he endeavours to do.”
The show’s creator has since set the record straight on co-star Bruno Tonioli’s future on the show, following rumours he’s set to be replaced.
“He’s coming back,” confirmed Simon on Heart radio’s Breakfast show last month, adding: “I love Bruno on this show. I think he’s brilliant and knows so much about what he’s talking about.”
