Simon Cowell, Mezhgan Hussainy are as close as they've ever been, says Max Clifford

Simon Cowell and Mezhgan Hussainy are as "close as they've ever been", according to Max Clifford.

The PR guru, who represents Cowell, discussed claims that the Syco boss had split from his fiancée and enjoyed dinner dates with a 'mystery British brunette'.

Clifford told ITV's This Morning: "I spoke to Simon yesterday, he's in LA launching X Factor over there and he said, 'Who is the mystery as I haven't met her and I don't know her'.

"The same journalist wrote a few weeks ago that he had dinner with Cheryl Cole and he never did. So it's consistent!"

Asked to confirm if Cowell and Hussainy are still engaged and planning their wedding, he responded: "Well I don't know about planning a wedding - I think you might have to wait 20 years for Simon to plan a wedding but they are as close as they've ever been."

Meanwhile, presenter Phillip Schofield admitted that he thought Cowell looked like "he's had work done" following an appearance on ITV2's The Xtra Factor over the weekend.

Clifford quipped: "Yeah, I think it's more the worry of all the hours he's spending counting his money, Phillip! I think it's the strain. He's getting thinner... I mean, who knows what he's doing? He's admitted in the past that he's had Botox hasn't he, so you know...

"That's why I could never see Simon getting married because he thinks it's an ageing process - allegedly!"

When Schofield jokingly responded, "because you don't get any older if you stay engaged?", Clifford said: "Absolutely right!"

> Simon Cowell is a serial cheat, says Sinitta
> Simon Cowell: 'I don't have patience for children'