Simon Cowell 'Disappointed' After 'The X Factor USA' Launch Pulls In Lowest Ratings Yet
'Disappointed'
Ashley Percival— The Huffington Post UK
While all may now be rosy in Simon Cowell's personal life with a new girlfriend and a baby on the way, it seems things aren't going quite so well in his professional life.
The music mogul has been left red faced after 'The X Factor USA' pulled in its lowest launch ratings to date, down a huge 17% on 2012's debut.
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Simon Cowell
Just 6.2m people tuned in to the first episode of the third season on Wednesday night, which saw the debut of new judges Kelly Rowland and Paulina Rubio.
This figure compares to 8.5m who watched the equivalent episode last year, and the 12.5m who caught the series one launch in 2011.
It was even beaten by the launch episode for the tenth series of the UK 'X Factor', which, despite the smaller population, averaged 9.2m viewers.
Simon famously promised that the show would get more than 20m viewers when it launched in 2011, but had to bactrack when it pulled in more modest figures.
The latest set of ratings have prompted rumours that this series could be the last, which we're secretly praying for as then Simon would be free to return to the UK show.
1. Nobody seems to know whether she's called Lauren or Laura. Or both. So let's get this one cleared up once and for all. It's definitely LAUREN. We think. (credit:Getty Images)
Lauren Silverman: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(02 of09)
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2. She's 36. That's 17 years younger than Simon Cowell so yes, he is indeed *adopts nana voice* old enough to be her father, tsk tsk etc, etc. (credit:WENN)
Lauren Silverman: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(03 of09)
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3. She is still technically married to one of Simon's bezzies, property developer Andrew Silverman. But according to Us magazine, the estranged couple have been 'unhappy for some time and a divorce is in the works'. Phew. (credit:Splash)
Lauren Silverman: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(04 of09)
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4. She's been friends with Mr. Cowell for some time having holidayed with him in St Barts in August last year (along with with hubby Andrew). She also joined Sinitta and Si on holiday in 2011. (credit:Splash)
Lauren Silverman: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(05 of09)
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5. She's a socialite. You know, like Paris Hilton. (credit:WENN)
Lauren Silverman: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(06 of09)
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6. She's a dead ringer for Simon's ex fianceé, Mezhgan Hussainy - so much so that even we couldn't initially tell them apart when they all holidayed together last year. Can you? (Mezhgan's in the centre of this pic, Lauren's on the right) (credit:Splash)
Lauren Silverman: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(07 of09)
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7. Just like Simon, she loves a ciggie, although we're hoping now she's preggers she's kicked the filthy habit. (credit:WENN)
Lauren Silverman: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(08 of09)
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8. She pretty much knew all there was to know about Simon Cowell before allegedly rubbing belly buttons with him. We know this because she was at the launch party for his *coughs* unauthorised biography, 'Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell' in April 2012. (credit:Getty Images)
Lauren Silverman: 9 Facts In 90 Seconds(09 of09)
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9. She's not to be confused with Laura Silverman (right) who is the actress sister of US comedian Sarah Silverman (left). (credit:Getty Images)