Simon Cowell turns camera shy at American X Factor fuelling neck lift speculation

Simon Cowell turns camera shy at American X Factor fuelling neck lift speculation

THE words “camera shy” and “Simon Cowell” have never before been used together in the same sentence but the brass-necked star has suddenly started shunning the limelight.

He fuelled speculation that he’s had neck surgery by slipping in through a backstage entrance at the American X Factor auditions while the other three judges worked the carpet.

Britney Spears, Demi Lovato and LA Reid posed happily at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island, while the elusive Simon was nowhere to be seen.

In fact, he was sneaking in via a back door to make sure that nobody got any photos of his neck.

Last week, the Mirror showed pictures of him driving in LA with a plaster b ehind his ear.

Experts believe he either had a nasty shaving-style boo boo or a neck lift â€" a procedure designed to smooth out saggy jowls.

Inside: Simon poses for the cameras

 

Lesley Reynolds Khan, co-founder of Harley Street Skin Clinic, says: “It does look like a neck lift in which theycut behind the ears, remove the skin and ‘re-drape it’.”

In Rhode Island, the only close-up photos taken of Simon were face-on, inside the building.

He looked “10 years younger”, according to one person. (Sinitta, is that you?)

My insider adds: “He was smiling and looking great. But he didn’t hang around.”

Asked if there was any comment about the alleged surgery and jowl-free look, Si’s spokeswoman declined to comment.

Sources close to the star deny he’s had a lift and last night 42-year-old 52-year-old Simon’s spokeswoman also claimed he hadn’t posed with the other judges as “he was already inside, in a producers’ meeting”.

On the second day of auditions, Simon turned up on a tiny bike/scooter, with a police escort... which meant snappers couldn’t get close-ups. Hmm.

Meanwhile, Si added his weight to a One Direction/Justin Bieber collabo, saying: “If it was the right record then it would be a great idea.”

On the boys, he adds: “I’m feeling something right now which is growing all the time.”

I must not make inappropriate jokes...