Simon Cowell has reportedly been spooked by a group of clowns during auditions for 'Britain's Got Talent'.
Simon Cowell
The 57-year-old entertainment mogul - who has admitted having a fear of clowns in the past - has been screening talent for his popular ITV talent competition, and was reportedly left "horrified" when a troupe of the comic entertainers turned up to the auditions.
A source told The Sun newspaper: "These were not funny clowns, they were sinister. People in the audience were shook up, but not as much as Simon.
"He looked horrified when one female clown touched his face. He later admitted a phobia of clowns."
And it isn't the first time the 'X Factor' judge has been spooked by the circus performers either, as he previously claimed he was inadvertently behind the 2016 'Killer clown' craze which saw people dress up in terrifying masks.
He said at the time: "I think I started it - the whole killer clown thing. I had a phobia of clowns and on 'America's Got Talent' this year a clown came on and I freaked out.
"Then we ended the show, we didn't know they were doing it and I get in my Rolls Royce and then the driver is a creepy clown.
"So I'm responsible. I'm scared - I didn't like them when I was a kid. They're creepy."
And the terrifying clown sighting isn't the only thing Simon - who has two-year-old son Eric with his partner Lauren Silverman - has had to deal with at the 'BGT' auditions, as he recently had to rush to the aid of a young man who collapsed on stage.
An audience member said: "His grandad died that day and combined with the stress of auditions, it really got to him.
"It was incredibly scary. Luke was singing with his mum and suddenly he just fell.
"All of the judges jumped to their feet, and Simon rushed on stage. Luke's mum was cradling him in her arms.
"They were the last act of the night and Simon thanked the audience for being compassionate."
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