Simon Cowell's TV debut

Watch video footage of X Factor boss's first ever appearance on screen

JUDGE IN THE MAKING: Simon on quiz show

By Katy Walford, 08/11/2009

THAT hair, that grin...it might be 1990 but Simon Cowell barely looks any different!

We've found footage of X Factor judge Cowell's first ever TV appearance - long before he became a household name.

Simon got his first taste of fame aged 30 on the Sky One version of old ITV favourite Sale of The Century.

And nineteen years on the music mogul is instantly recognisable as the well-spoken chap who wanted to win a Fiat Uno - but had to make do with the £20 set of kitchen utensils.

Click below to see video

Watch Simon Cowell's first ever television appearance ... on Sky's Sale of the Century

On the show Simon beat two rivals with a great display of general knowledge.

But though the then record company boss knew the answer to music question 'Who was the lead singer of The Boomtown Rats?' (Bob Geldof) Cowell didn't know who Saddam Hussein was.

WAY IN FRONT: Simon beats rivals on 1990s show

Dressed in a dapper black suit - there is no sign of the high waisted trousers or fitted t-shirts that would go on to become his trademark look - Simon spent his first minutes on TV talking about go-karting.

And later in the show Simon admires a kid's 4x4 Gaucho...saying he wants one.

GOING PLACES: Simon admires toy

With all his millions in the bank since X Factor, American Idol and Britain's Got Talent we're sure he's got plenty of boy's toys now...

Click here to visit News of the World's X Factor home page

Click here to visit offical X Factor site

Your comments

This article has 12 comments

I think he looks like a combination of John F. Kennedy, Jr. and Hugh Grant in his old picture. And, he looked better with more hair on the sides of his head.

By Carole.. Posted November 14 2009 at 1:17 AM.

haha simon looks funny his hair hasen't changed so funny

By rhianne.. Posted November 8 2009 at 4:01 PM.

I still would !!!!! lol Twinkly eyes, sexy smile .....yummy

By Trikkivix.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:58 PM.

hahaha what a laugh .you wouldnt expect that from the man that he was then to the man he is now is funny .i bet he is really embrassed about that.i'm going to show this to everynody.

By charlotte.. Posted November 8 2009 at 2:21 PM.

T.V Gold. That is hilarious. Simon has hardly changed. He's lovely!

By JTay.. Posted November 8 2009 at 1:30 PM.

Check out the top picture in the left, the 'as he is now' pic.

Anyone noticed that Simon's got a bat in the cave?

By Ian Probert.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:35 AM.

That gave me. a good laugh

By Ta.. Posted November 8 2009 at 9:02 AM.

He looks like a combination of Hugh Grant and a young Mel Gibson. He hasn't yet developed the level of self-assured confidence that he has today but the hair was better ! :)

By Len McCoy.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:38 PM.

He looked just as arrogant then as well!!

By H.. Posted November 7 2009 at 11:11 PM.

hasnt changed apart from the nose job, facial implants, botox, tooth vaneers, etc. etc.

By suri.. Posted November 7 2009 at 10:39 PM.

Haha.. he hasn't aged a day! :)

By Corri.. Posted November 7 2009 at 10:14 PM.

Oh wasnt he just so lovely,still is,a true gentleman.

By Trudy.. Posted November 7 2009 at 8:56 PM.

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