Simon Cowell burst into tears after reuniting with Britain’s Got Talent star whose £200k spine op he payed for
SIMON COWELL was left sobbing after being reunited with a Britain’s Got Talent star whose life he changed.
The ITV show boss — known for his Mr Nasty persona — could barely speak at Saturday’s auditions after 17-year-old Julia Carlile took to the stage for the first time since he paid £175,000 for her spinal operation.
I’m told Julia, who dances with Scouse group MerseyGirls, left barely a dry eye at London’s Wembley Arena as she showed off the success of her US treatment — even backflipping across the stage.
It completes an incredible turnaround for the youngster.
He paid for an operation to correct her curved spine in August 2017.
Following Saturday’s performance, Simon’s fellow judge Amanda Holden asked the mogul to speak — but he managed just a few words before handing the mic to the other judges, wiping away tears.
Amanda rubbed Simon’s arm in a show of support.
Simon left the judging desk to compose himself, standing in the shadows at the side of the stage.
He then told Julia and her fellow dancers: “All I want to talk about is one person’s strength and, beyond that, the friendship and support you all have, which we saw the first time we met you.”
His voice then began to crack after he said: “To see you able to come back tonight . . . it just means everything . . . ”
Fellow judge Alesha Dixon said: “That just made my heart soar. Simon, I love you, I love what you’ve done for her.”
Julia said: “I thought that now I would be at home not dancing for the rest of my life — but here I am backflipping with my best friends.
“I couldn’t walk two years ago and now I am here.
“Simon, thank you so much. I don’t think I have ever been so happy as I am right now.”
In his role as a talent mogul, Simon has changed hundreds of lives over the years . . . but surely none more so than Julia’s.
Bosses have a ‘vision
EUROVISION is watched by 180million people worldwide, including A-List fans such as Will Ferrell, Madonna and Justin Timberlake.
Now Simon hopes to cash in by turning Britain’s Got Talent: The Champions into an international competition modelled on the European telly institution.
Each act will represent a country and have a booth in the audience with supporters waving flags, like at Eurovision.
A TV insider said: “Producers are keen to mimic Eurovision and stir up some old-fashioned international competition.
“BGT bosses have been looking for nationals either in the UK or abroad to come to London from countries like South Africa, Germany and Australia.
“Supporters will be waving flags in their own booth.”
Contestants include Moldovan knife-swallower Alex Magala, father-son dance duo Stavros Flatley and, as I revealed last week, Neighbours star Bonnie Anderson.
No prizes for guessing where she will represent.
Baby on board BGT
ALESHA Dixon kept filming for BGT: The Champions despite being heavily pregnant.
The judge revealed live on Britain’s Got Talent in May that she was expecting her second child – much to the surprise of her co-stars.
Alesha said at the time she was “over the moon”, calling the show a “lovely place to celebrate” the news.
Hopefully she doesn’t give birth in the studio too.
Bizbit
DAVID Tennant was quizzed by fans in the US at Galaxy Con about John Barrowman’s idea for a Torchwood movie involving David.
The actor joked: “John might just be doing it for himself, running up and down Cardiff docks.”
C4 show homes in on Italy
WHILE the country gears up for Brexit, Channel 4 is heading for Europe with a Continental spin-off of its home makeover hit The £1 Houses.
New series One Euro House will see wannabe homeowners pack up and leave the UK to find derelict homes in sunny Italy and refurbish them.
Like the streets featured in the homegrown show, where whole areas have fallen into disrepair, many villages and towns in Italy and Sicily have been left derelict as younger people flock to big cities.
But via a government scheme, wannabe property owners can now snap up a house for just a euro if they vow to do it up.
A source said: “Channel 4’s The £1 Houses has been a big hit and this is the same show but it’s gone on holiday.
“Brits who dream of living the good life abroad but who might not have any hope of getting on the property ladder at home will jet to Italy to find the derelict house of their dreams being sold off for one euro.
“Cameras will follow their progress as they turn it into a home to be proud of, with all the fun of getting to know a new country.”
The show will hit our screens in the autumn.
Must watch
WHAT? Ainsley’s Caribbean Kitchen, ITV, 8pm.
Why? Chef Ainsley Harriott tours the islands that inspired his cooking. He starts with Jamaica, where his father grew up, and samples the best local food.
David’s Les than popular
DAVID Walliams continued to wind up his colleagues during filming last week – turning his attention to Ant and Dec.
Asked by Dec if his judging job was any easier because all the acts are champions, David said: “It’s nearly as hard as reading every other line on the autocue, what you two do.”
The Little Britain funnyman also sparred with boss Simon, telling the audience he would donate his fee this year to Help The Aged because the Simon is turning 60.
Soapbox
IT’s Damon’s wedding day in Hollyoaks. He is still unaware wife-to-be Maxine is not terminally ill.
Levi warns Maxine the truth must come out but she threatens to get him struck off if he breaks doctor-patient confidentiality.
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
Later, Sienna runs into the bride, who is pilfering freebies from a hotel bathroom. But when she tries to stop Maxine leaving, she realises Maxine isn’t ill after all.
On Emmerdale, after Victoria is taken to hospital with stomach pains, Robert and Aaron try to be supportive.
Victoria is overjoyed as the sonographer declares the baby healthy.
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