Simon Cowell blames New Year’s Honours snub on Panama Papers leak

Simon Cowell blames New Year’s Honours snub on Panama Papers leak… but ‘wouldn’t care’ if he never received one

Simon Cowell has admitted he blames being snubbed from the New Year’s Honours on his name appearing in the 2016 Panama Papers leak.

Speaking to The Sun On Sunday the mogul said he ‘wouldn’t care’ if he was never recognised for his TV and charity work, but is now far more in touch with HMRC after his name was linked to numerous offshore tax accounts – which are legal.

Despite this Simon insisted he ‘doesn’t care’ if he is never recognised by Her Majest for his work, as he said he knows he’s doing it for the right reasons. 

Missed out: Simon Cowell has admitted he blames being snubbed from the New Year’s Honours on his name appearing in the 2016 Panama Papers leak

He said: ‘The first thing you have to ask is, ”Are you doing it [charity work] to get something out of it?” No, of course I’m not.

‘I love what I do and am very fortunate to be able to help when I can. The Panama thing was the one and only time the tax thing was raised, the only time that I have ever had a problem. 

‘If this is the case — why I haven’t been honoured — then I wouldn’t really care, to be honest.’

Shocking: Speaking to The Sun On Sunday the mogul said he 'wouldn't care' if he was never recognised for his TV and charity work

Shocking: Speaking to The Sun On Sunday the mogul said he ‘wouldn’t care’ if he was never recognised for his TV and charity work

Simon’s words came as he enjoys a sun-soaked Christmas break in Barbados with girlfriend Lauren Silverman and their four-year-old son Eric, after wrapping up The X Factor earlier this month.

The stars’ name appeared among many others when papers belonging to the secretive Panama law firm were leaked.

In the documents Simon was named as the sole shareholder of two British Virgin Islands ­companies set up in 2007 – though the procedure is completely legal.

Loving it: Simon's words came as he enjoys a sun-soaked Christmas break in Barbados with girlfriend Lauren Silverman and their four-year-old son Eric

Loving it: Simon’s words came as he enjoys a sun-soaked Christmas break in Barbados with girlfriend Lauren Silverman and their four-year-old son Eric

The producer has also been lauded throughout his career for his generosity and charity work, and in 2014 was named as one of the UK’s top 165 charity donors after giving more than £1.6million to good causes.

Simon will return to TV in the New Year when filming commences for the Britain’s Got Talent auditions, reuniting with judges David Walliams, Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden.

The producing legend will also reach the huge milestone of turning 60, and he has already teased plans for an lavish birthday bash in October.

Back to work: Simon will return to TV in the New Year when filming commences for the Britain's Got Talent auditions

Back to work: Simon will return to TV in the New Year when filming commences for the Britain’s Got Talent auditions

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