Cowell's verdicts on female pop artists

Simon Cowell has given a run-down of his opinions on pop artists such as Hilary Duff, Lindsay Lohan and Beyonce Knowles.

Speaking to Extra TV, Cowell revealed that the charms of Beyonce Knowles went over his head, stating that her voice is unappealing as is her fabled sexual allure.

Britney Spears got a mixed reaction from the Pop Idol judge, who said: "I was a fan of Britney's early records. When I see her doing the whole Madonna thing, it's rather like watching if I had a little sister, her put on makeup for the first time. You sort of go 'don't!'"

Lohan, Duff and Jessica Simpson all survived Cowell's critical ear well, as he described Lohan and Duff as "girls next door" who every young girl wants to be, while he said of Simpson: "I have a certain respect for Jessica, because Jessica is like an ambitious wolf. She is so on it, in terms of her career, and I think you need that."