[Amy]

Simon Cowell has claimed he "fixed" the Pop Idol result to ensure 15-stone Michelle McManus won.

McManus, who breaks the usual pop star mould, was supported by the critic throughout the ITV show.

She went on to win and release the album The Meaning Of Love.

But Cowell is reported to tell a BBC Tabloid Tales episode he secured McManus' win through his unflinching support, despite his belief that the Glaswegian would never make a long-term chart star.

He chose McManus because he believed she would be a money-spinner in the mould of his other successes, Teletubbies and Power Rangers.

"She's not a pop idol in the old fashioned sense, though maybe times are changing," he said.

But the acid-tongued critic added: "I thought she should win anyway."

Full story Here

[BusyBee]

How does Simon Cowell get his head through any door? Does he feel he is the person behind the Simon Says song. so if Simon Says "vote ......" everyone will do so. Dont think so.

Still if I was one of the other competitors I would feel pretty agrieved. Wonder if he could be sued for vote rigging. Interesting.

[Sticks]

But I heard that he stormed out of the studio when Michelle did win, as he thought someone else should have done

[LEE]

Originally posted by Sticks
But I heard that he stormed out of the studio when Michelle did win, as he thought someone else should have done

I thought it was Pete who had stormed out, not Simon.

[Amy]

Originally posted by LEE

I thought it was Pete who had stormed out, not Simon.

It was Pete

[Kaz]

What a load of tosh.

Since when has the public paid one blind bit of attention to who Simon wanted to win . . . . . . they certainly didn't during the original Pop Idol!

[AndyJK]

Even Pete Waterman claimed Cowell wanted Michelle to win which can read in this article - click here.

Personally I think it's impossible that any judge could fix the result. Every week it seemed the judges' choice to leave the contest never materialised. I still believe Michelle won because of the Scottish vote, rather than Cowell's support.