Cowell to receive top Brit award?

Simon Cowell will receive the Outstanding Contribution to Music gong at next year's Brit Awards, according to reports.

The Sun claims that the music mogul will be honoured at the February ceremony, making him the first non-artist to be awarded the prize.

However, the paper added that the news may not be welcomed across the industry.

"If Cowell gets the big gong it will cause an almighty stink in the music business. He will be the first pop Svengali to win rather than an artist - the publicity worldwide would be enormous," said a source.

''X Factor is looking like it is having another weak year in terms of new stars so he is open to the idea, and the the timing is perfect to highlight the success of Leona Lewis in the US."