Charity Secret of TV's 'Mr. Nasty'

Simon Cowell signs autographs for children at Christopher's Children's Hospice

SIMON COWELL yesterday vowed to battle for more help for children's hospices, saying he would "do a Jamie Oliver" if necessary and knock on the door at Number 10.

The music mogul, 50, pledged his support as he was unveiled as the new patron of Children's Hospices UK, whose Government funding is up for renewal in 2011.

Speaking at the CHASE hospice for children in Arlington, Surrey, he dismissed his Mr Nasty image, spending hours mingling with children and their families and revealing he had paid secret visits to the care home for almost five years.

"I've never considered myself to be nasty," he said. "I would absolutely do a Jamie at Downing Street. I'll knock on their door or they can come round to mine for supper. I'll do whatever it takes to help raise awareness."

Nearly everyone he spoke to had the same question - who does Simon want to win the music talent show?

"This is the hardest X Factor to call, but I'm praying it's not John and Edward," said the star, who has vowed to leave the country if the Irish twins pull off a victory. "If they win I will probably sulk for six months or so and jump on a plane to go far away."

(Edit:Ruby)