Simon Cowell opens up about death of mum Julie: “The public’s support has got me through”

Simon Cowell broke down in tears as he talked about his mum Julie for the first time since her death two weeks ago.

Speaking to the Sun, the X Factor head judge said he hadn't wanted to burden anyone with his worries about her failing health.

"She'd been ill for a very long time. It really happened last year and it was a tough, tough period," he said.

"But I didn't want to burden anyone else with my problem. That's why I never talked about it."

Speaking about why he'd only taken two days off work after she died, Simon pointed out that filming was a good distraction, adding that it's what Julie would have wanted.

"It sounds corny but it's exactly what she would have wanted me to do as she loved what I did. When it came to work, she would say, 'Get back and do what you enjoy'," he said.

And he said the outpouring of love and support on Twitter was "incredible", saying that was what helped get him through.

Simon also opened up about his protegy Louis Tomlinson's recent baby news, explaining that he'd told the One Direction singer exactly what to do when Louis turned to him.

"I said to him, 'You man up. You're fortunate because you're in a position to be able to look after the baby and not worry too much about that.'

"But I also told him, 'I've received bad calls in my life but this is not one of them. This is your business but I'm here for you'."

N'aww.

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