Simon Cowell Gay Rumor Slammed By X Factor Judge

Simon Cowell has denied a years-old rumor that he is gay in a new unauthorized biography.

The 52-year-old American Idol and X Factor judge slammed speculation about his sexuality in Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell. While saying he would feel no shame if the gossip was true, the talent show personality told author Tom Bower he was straight, and had nothing to hide:

“If I was gay, why wouldn’t I admit it? It wouldn’t harm me, and my mother wouldn’t freak out.”

Bower’s biography has already caused concern in the Cowell camp, despite the star being actively involved in its creation.

Cowell admitted to TMZ Live that he was “embarrassed” by the release of the book, despite giving several on-the-record interviews to Bower on his private jet and luxury yacht.

“It’s not my habit to kiss and tell. I’ve never done it. I’ve always tried to keep my private life private, and it is unfortunate. So I was feeling very embarrassed and not gentlemanly at all this week because it’s just not my style.”

The troublesome bio also reveals that Cowell had a secret fling with Aussie pop star and fellow talent judge Dannii Minogue. As Bower told MTV:

“Simon was on his own at the time and she was on her own, too. There was a natural chemistry between them. It’s not something he wanted to come out but it has – there is nothing unusual about it at all.”

The new Cowell biography is released today in the States.