Arguably one of Britain’s most influential men, Simon Cowell, who has earned a fortune encouraging people to vote for the acts on his talent shows, has revealed he’s never once voted in a political election.
Speaking at the launch of the new series of his hit ITV show ‘Britain’s Got Talent’, the music mogul said: “Do you know, I’ve never voted, I never have,” when asked whether he voted for the late former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.
“I’ve supported people but I’ve never actually voted,” he continued.
When asked why not, Cowell, who is used to voting on talent acts in front of millions of viewers on TV, said: “I can’t be bothered.”
As one of the most recognisable names in the country, Cowell famously endorsed David Cameron to be Prime Minister in 2010.
Writing in The Sun newspaper at the time, he said: “'David Cameron is the Prime Minister Britain needs at this time. He has the substance and the stomach to navigate us through difficult times.”
Asked if Margaret Thatcher had “talent”, like his show promotes, Cowell replied: “You don’t get elected three times without talent.
“She polarised people but sometimes that’s what people with talent do, some people like you and some people don’t you can’t win over everybody. As I said, winning that many times she had of had talent.”
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(01 of44)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden attend the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(02 of44)
Simon Cowell arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(03 of44)
Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(04 of44)
Alesha Dixon,Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(05 of44)
Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden arrive at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(06 of44)
Simon Cowell arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
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Mezhgan Hussainy arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(08 of44)
Mezhgan Hussainy arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(09 of44)
Amanda Holden arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(10 of44)
Amanda Holden arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(11 of44)
Amanda Holden arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
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Amanda Holden arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(13 of44)
Amanda Holden arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(14 of44)
Alesha Dixon arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(15 of44)
Alesha Dixon arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
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Alesha Dixon arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
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Stephen Mulhern arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
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Stephen Mulhern arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
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Alesha Dixon arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent 2013(20 of44)
Alesha Dixon arrives at a Britain's Got Talent Q&A at the ICA in London. (credit:PA)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(21 of44)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon, Simon Cowell and Amanda Holden attend the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(22 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden; Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon attend the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(23 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden; Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon attend the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(24 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden; Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon attend the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(25 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden; Simon Cowell and Alesha Dixon attend the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(26 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon attend the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(27 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell attend the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(28 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(29 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(30 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(31 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(32 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(33 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(34 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(35 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(36 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(37 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(38 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(39 of44)
LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Marsland/WireImage) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(40 of44)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 11: Amanda Holden attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(41 of44)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(42 of44)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(43 of44)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Britain's Got Talent - Press Launch(44 of44)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 11: Alesha Dixon attends the press launch for the new series of 'Britain's Got Talent' at ICA on April 11, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)