Cowell screens Abdul's boyfriends

Paula Abdul has claimed that fellow American Idol judge Simon Cowell has attempted to examine her latest boyfriend, to make sure he approves of her new partnership.

The '80s pop singer has explained that the X Factor star is desperate to assess the suitability of her latest boyfriend, restaurateur JT Torregiani.

She told WENN: "Simon is already calling me and bugging and saying 'Let me talk to him'. Simon always does this to me."

Cowell was revealed yesterday to be the second highest-paid US TV star, behind only chat show host Oprah Winfrey.