A year after splitting from Simon Cowell, TV presenter Terri Seymour is still in his shadow

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IN the super-ornate tea rooms of London's Dorchester hotel, Terri Seymour causes a bit of an A-list flutter as she totters through in a tiny black strappy summer dress, clutching a Starbucks hot chocolate.

Justin Timberlake has to stop himself leaping up from a business meeting to greet her, and makes do with a huge wave and a big wink. On the other side of the room, legendary music producer Quincy Jones shouts: "Hey look! It's Terri!"

In Hollywood, Terri, 35, is red hot. She's the star of US TV show Extra, where she interviews the likes of Justin ("He's one of my favourites. A bit cheeky, but very sweet"), Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp, as well as reporting from behind the scenes of American Idol.

In the UK, however, Terri is simply known as Simon Cowell's girlfriend. Or rather, his ex-girlfriend.

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Most think of her as that very gorgeous and totally jammy girl who went out with Simon, 49, for six years, got him to launch her TV career in America, and who was then rumoured to have received millions of pounds and a massive house as a gift when they split 12 months ago.

Even some of her closest friends think she has the most unbelievably bizarre relationship with her ex.

"We do still speak every day," she giggles in her distinctively sexy, throaty voice. "Actually we'll often speak to each other five, even 10 times a day. And when Simon is in LA we see each other daily. We'll go out with friends, we might even end up at his place until 2am chatting and having a laugh. But we're not back together. We're definitely no longer an item." She pauses, then adds: "I guess it does sound weird when I say it out loud."

Particularly when she explains that she speaks to Simon's beloved mum, Julie, every week and that a few weekends ago the Cowell clan all pitched up to her grandparents' diamond wedding anniversary. Add that to the fact that Terri has her own 'quarters' in Simon's £15million Barbados mansion and a room in his London town house, and it paints a very strange picture indeed.

'Simon Cowell needs more than one woman'

Terri and Simon's relationship is even more peculiar if we are to believe reports that Simon's started a new relationship with another slim and stunning brunette. The rumour mill went into overdrive last month when Simon arrived at a party with make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy, 36, on his arm. Interestingly, the reports highlighted that Terri wasn't at the bash, despite rumours that 17 of his exes had gathered for the party thrown in his honour.

"That's hilarious," she laughs. "The truth is that party wasn't actually entirely Simon's. It was his ex-girlfriend Jackie St Claire's 50th, and he was just the guest of honour. I wasn't there because I was working in the States.

"I think the idea that there were 17 ex-girlfriends there is hysterical. I don't think there even are that many! I know Mezhgan went, she's a lovely girl and his make-up artist in America, but he also took along a girl called Julie who does his make-up in the UK.

"He would have told me if they were dating and he definitely hasn't mentioned it."

Terri Seymour with her ex, Simon Cowell

If Simon hasn't deigned to tell Terri he's moved on, then it's easy to assume that Mezhgan most definitely hasn't made the Cowell cut yet. Because of their unbelievably close relationship, chances are Terri would be the first person to know,

Naturally, cynics would say that remaining tight with a billionaire ex is a very cunning ploy, but Terri's quick to deny she's some sort of sad limpet.

"Oh my God, no!" she says. "I'm definitely not clinging on to Simon. We're not together and I would never go back out with him. When we go out with friends, I flirt with guys, he flirts with other women. It doesn't bother me at all. He's also always suggesting guys I should date. Most of them I'd never be interested in!

"I would like to see Simon with someone else but I honestly can't think of one woman who would be perfect for him. I think he needs more than one woman - and none of them should live with him. He'd definitely be happy with that!"

Simon Cowell with make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy

But there are clearly problems with either Simon moving on or indeed Terri finding a new man, because of their inability to let each other go.

"Simon still has tonnes of photos of me all round his house," explains Terri. "So I'd have to go and take them all down if he starts a relationship with someone else.

"And yes, it's true, a lot of guys would find my relationship with Simon hard to handle. I've been on dates since we split, ¿but with no one serious. Same with Simon. I think I would have to speak to Simon if I did meet someone because I know for sure he wouldn't think twice about still wanting to meet up all the time and calling every day. It's just how we are."

The more we talk, the more you start to understand that it's actually Simon who seems unable to let her go. Is that because it was Terri's decision to end their relationship?

"Basically we did genuinely start to drift apart. Simon's work schedule was completely manic and mine started to get busier and busier," she explains.

"He liked it when we were physically together as much as possible, but it got to the point where I couldn't start cancelling jobs to accompany him on trips or be there for every dinner and party because I was doing my thing. I was in LA mainly, and he was in London. Simon really does need a girlfriend who can be with him 24/7. Our relationship slowly changed but what remained was the friendship, which is fantastic. We never rowed, we just faced up to the fact that we could no longer give each other the time we both wanted."

Rather than give themselves space, they probably see more of one another now than they did before. But then again this is Simon Cowell, who keeps his identikit exes close. Jackie St Claire, who hosted last month's party, is one of his best friends, and '80s pop star Sinitta, 42, is a regular at his home. Terri, it seems, is no different. Why is that?

'Having a baby with Simon would be too weird'

"We like each other a huge amount, we get on really well and we're the first person the other turns to when there's a problem. I'm incredibly ambitious and, in that way, Simon and I totally get one another. I've learnt a lot being with him. It was like having a six-year masterclass in how to succeed," she says.

However, she adds: "Maybe I need to break free of Simon to show who I am in my own right. But to us it seems normal, even though to everyone else it's just completely insane."

To fill in a few blanks, Terri did exist before she met Simon. An only child, she never met her father and was brought up by her mother. She was bullied at school for being mixed race, but began modelling at 12. By 15 she ¿was one of Vivienne Westwood's favourite models, doing shows alongside Kate Moss and Naomi Campbell, whom she still counts as friends. She broke into TV on Wheel Of Fortune, and then found success TV presenting stateside.

When Terri drops into conversation that she hangs out with supermodels, interviews A-listers and lives in some of Simon's super-homes, it's easy to think that she lives a dream life. And, refreshingly, she's doesn't deny it.

Her only hang-up now is that she doesn't get to spend more time in Britain. "It's my home and I miss it," she says. "I love English men, too. I'm not really into all those Hollywood guys. I'd love to have the best of both worlds and work here and in LA - and hopefully that's possible."

But I can't help but wonder, will Terri will ever find another man while she's still in Simon's shadow? She laughs: "Well I do definitely want a baby." There is a pause and I ask whether she and Simon have made a pact to have a child together if they don't meet anyone else. She howls with laughter. "Are you completely crazy? I'd like to think I'll find someone to have a baby with, and that definitely won't be Simon. Even for us, that would be just too weird!"

Amanda Holden reveals all the gossip from Simon's party in her weekly column

PHOTOGRAPHY: PAFPIX, LFI HAIR: JON CHAPMAN AT CAROL HAYES MANAGEMENT USING AVEDA MAKE-UP: MELISSA WALSH AT BEAUTYANDPHOTO.COM USING ESTEE LAUDER STYLING: ANGIE SMITH (ANGIESMITH.CO.UK) TERRI WEARS: TIGHTS, JONATHAN ASTON; SHOES, ASOS; BANGLES, STYLIST'S OWN DRESS, AMERICAN APPAREL; RING AND BANGLES, BOTH NICHOLAS KIG AT KABIRI; SHOES, TOPSHOP

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