Simon Cowell 'hated Geraldine McQueen talent show parody at first'

Simon Cowell is said to have "hated" Peter Kay\'s \'Britain\'s Got the Pop Factor\' when he first saw the parody programme.

The 47-year-old comedian spoofed TV talent shows on \'Britain\'s Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice\' in 2008, which featured \'X Factor\' voiceover guy Peter Dickson.

In Dickson\'s new book, \'Voiceover Man, he claims Kay insisted the media mogul wasn\'t the show\'s biggest fan and thought the two-part special was "taking the p***".

According to Dickson\'s publication, the \'Car Share\' star said: "He hated it. Hated everything about it.

"Thought we were taking the p***, undermining his success. He sent me a really stinking email ...

"He was particularly upset about your involvement and I felt a bit guilty about that as I had given you my word, when we met, that it was an affectionate parody."

However, \'Britain\'s Got Talent\' boss Simon was won over when he saw how much people loved the lighthearted send-up of his competitions.

Kay reportedly added: "After the reviews came in and the praise for it was universal, he decided it was OK. Called me to apologise. Nowt as queer as folk, eh?"

The 2008 Channel 4 show was created, written and directed by the comedian, who also starred as fictional singer Geraldine McQueen, who went on to have two real-life top five chart hits with \'The Winner\'s Song\' and \'Once Upon A Christmas Song\'.

In 2011, Geraldine duetted with former \'BGT\' runner-up Susan Boyle on a rendition of \'I Know Him So Well\' for Red Nose Day, which hit number 11 in the UK singles chart.