Cowell denies 'retirement at 50' rumour

Simon Cowell has denied rumours that he is to retire when he turns 50 next year.

Max Clifford, publicist to The X Factor judge, insisted that the TV personality "isn't going anywhere".

"He’s not quitting and he won’t retire next year," Clifford told The Daily Star.

"He’s told me he'll go on and on and on. And so he should. The thing about Simon is, people want him on telly. Shows like The X Factor, Britain's Got Talent and American Idol wouldn't work if he wasn't there.

"He is the centre of everything. He is the reason they're such a hit."

Last year, Cowell reportedly announced that he will be stepping down from the American Idol judging panel in 2010, adding that he would probably leave his post on The X Factor at the same time.