Simon Cowell on phone hacking: "There's worse things to get upset about"

Simon Cowell has said that he would not be upset if he were to discover that his phone had been hacked by News International.

Speaking to The Guardian, the Syco boss admitted that while he suspects his phone may have been tapped into by the News of the World, he is "quite a forgiving person".



On whether he believes he was hacked, Cowell is quoted as saying: "It crossed my mind. A lot of the people there I knew. I… I… A lot of the people who you guys uncovered - it's difficult for me, because I knew them as friends. It's been a difficult time for me. I'd rather not know.

"I've been angry at loads of things. Not everybody's perfect. I know what I've done in my life. You try to find the balance. I think there's been worse things to get upset about."

In defence of the now-defunct tabloid, Cowell continued: "I've worked for the company for years and [the News of the World was] very good to me. I don't condone what happened, but I've seen another side of these people. I've genuinely seen the kind side.

"The Sarah Payne thing I was very involved with, met her mum, and the people at the News of the World - this was not publicity, it was a very personal relationship. There's good and bad in all of us. But I'm quite a forgiving person."

> Andy Coulson to sue Rupert Murdoch's News Group 'for breach of contract'
> Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation facing fresh US legal action