Cowell's ex applies for restraining order

Simon Cowell's ex-girlfriend has applied for a restraining order against a woman who attacked her at an American Idol taping.

Terri Seymour, 35, had been covering the Idol finale in Los Angeles when she was approached by Janice Thibodeaux, who allegedly attempted to choke her.

In legal papers filed at LA's Superior Court, the television presenter claims that Thibodeaux "put her in a headlock, wrenched her neck and choked her with the full force of her 200lb frame".

Seymour went on to say that she could have been "injured or killed" if security had not been nearby to restrain her attacker and feared that Thibodeaux would "again assault and harass" her.

Thibodeaux, 33, has pleaded not guilty to misdemeanour charges of battery and assault. Her next court appearance is on June 4.

She later suggested that she only attacked Seymour in order to avenge an incident that happened between Cowell and Paula Abdul during a previous Idol episode.