Cowell: 'Britney was in awe of me'

Simon Cowell has revealed that he believes Britney Spears was in awe of him when they met on The X Factor.

The judge told American Idol presenter Ryan Seacrest on KISS-FM that he was so impressed with the singer's "buzz" that he wants to invite her on the American talent show.

Cowell said: "To be fair, and this may be a bit egotistical, I think she was in awe of me. She was just staring at me. I said 'Touch me, I'm human' and I think that broke the ice."

Spears's mimed performance of 'Womanizer' on the ITV1 programme, which was criticised by James Corden as "half-a***d", won the praise of the producer. "Of all the artists I have ever had on any of these shows, there was more buzz, more excitement for this girl [than anyone else].

"It was as if the president was on the show. I love it. I think if you're going to be a star, be a star," he said.