麻豆约拍

The second part of Radio 2's exclusive profile of the man who has dominated the entertainment world in the 21st century, in conversation at his west London home with good friend and fellow industry mogul Jonathan Shalit.

Last week, after a revealing portrayal of his upbringing, we left Cowell embarking on his career in music with his first job as a runner. Now the story comes up to date, documenting all of the ups and downs that got him to where he is now. They include the time he spent working as an estate agent; his first attempts at running a label, which almost bankrupted him; how he learned about records, production and marketing from his longtime friend Pete Waterman; and his discovery of the potential of working with brands and the power of television.

The show features contributions from some of the people who've been part of his adventures, including his early business partner, Ellis Rich, and one of his first signings, UK pop chart-topper Sonia. We hear the song that he and Louis Walsh played while driving along Sunset Boulevard in a Bentley, find out whether it's true that he turned down Take That, and get his memories of stars he helped to create, such as Kelly Clarkson, Susan Boyle and James Arthur.

Also featured are more surprise questions, pitched at Simon without any prior warning, by two of his celebrity colleagues, as he reveals the person he would most like to be and the act he most wishes he could have signed.