Simon Cowell has revealed that throwing himself into work has helped him deal with the death of his mum.
READ MORE:
The music mogul’s beloved mother, Julie Brett, died last month at the age of 89, after suffering a stroke.
Her death fell around the beginning of filming the new series of ‘The X Factor’, and while auditions were initially postponed, Simon has since revealed that being busy with work has helped him through the grieving process.
Simon Cowell and his late mother, Julie Brett
Speaking to the Sunday Express, he said: “I thought about it long and hard. I gave myself two or three days. I know it sounds like a cliché, but having such a strong bond with my mum meant I knew exactly what she'd have said. It would have been, 'This is your show, you love the show, go back and do your job'.
“She was a former dancer, very much 'the show must go on'. I think she'd have been disappointed if I'd said 'I'm not going to do it'.
"I'm not going to lie, there were times it was incredibly difficult, but then there were other times I was able to switch my mind off and concentrate on what was happening and the contestants."
Simon described watching his mother’s condition worsen as “nine months of hell”, but admitted he feels lucky to have been given the chance to say goodbye to her properly.
He added: “I had my time with my mum to say goodbye. The biggest regret you'd ever have is not to have the chance to say how you feel about someone.
"Not that there's ever a good time for it to happen, and it is still all a bit raw. I know I'll miss her every day, but I also know I'm incredibly grateful to have had her.”
The ‘X Factor’ judge broke his silence on his mum’s death in the days that followed, thanking fans for their support and describing his mother as a “very special” woman.