Sir Philip Green’s ‘bigger than Disney’ tie-up with Simon Cowell was doomed from the start

Cowell has pulled the plug on their golden alliance after the revelation that Green used a High Court injunction to reinforce non-disclosure agreements said to involve allegations of racism and sexual harassment

It seemed like the perfect fit between musical TV genius and billionaire magnate (Rex)

In Oliver Shah’s excellent, and given what has occurred, presciently-titled book on Sir Philip Green, Damaged Goods, there is a section devoted to the retail tycoon’s friendship and business partnership with Simon Cowell.

It tells how the X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent mogul first met Green in 1999, at the Monaco Grand Prix; how Cowell was a guest at Green’s 55th birthday party (PG55, as it was branded with typical understatement); and how, in 2009, Green’s wife Tina paid £3m to organise Cowell’s own 50th celebration.

The bash was held at Wrotham Park, a stately home in Hertfordshire. The 450 guests were greeted by a giant image of Cowell projected on to the building; the waiters wore Cowell masks; Michelangelo’s The Creation of Adam from the Sistine Chapel was recreated on the ceiling, with the image of God replaced by Cowell. Music was from Earth Wind & Fire, and dancers came on dressed as giant vaginas.