Simon marks 50th birthday with 1m bash

SIMON Cowell celebrated his 50th birthday last night with a host of A-list friends and family at a 1million VIP party, which was the hottest ticket in town.
The media tycoon, who treated his closest friends to a sunshine holiday in Miami last week ahead of his milestone birthday on Wednesday, flew home via private jet on Friday to make last-minute changes to the guest list, a Whos Who of the most influential people in TV and music.
The celebration took months of planning and was co-ordinated by retail king Sir Philip Green and his wife Tina, who made frequent trips from the couples home in Monte Carlo to oversee the event with party planners Banana Split. Cowell had spared no expense on 'the party of the decade for 400 guests at Wrotham Park, a stately manor in Barnet, Hertfordshire.
The imposing building was bathed in blue light for the occasion - with a giant image of Cowell projected on to its historic facade.
Inside, pre-recorded birthday wishes from the likes of the Beckhams and Jennifer Aniston were displayed on giant screens - even in the toilets. Which, incidentally, also contained a giant tank full of mini-sharks.
The venue, a palladian mansion set in 2,500 acres, is a 30-minute drive from Central London and was lit with hundreds of scented candles.
A fleet of limousines, which had been hired at a cost of 50,000 paid for by Cowell, ferried the A-list stars to the venue for a cocktail reception complete with a live band at 8pm. Cowell, a Frank Sinatra fan, had arranged for three Rat Pack impersonators flown over from America to sing throughout the evening.
A 25,000 marquee, built for the occasion, was dressed in red roses, while black suede menus described the food on offer. As well as bread rolls spelling out Simons name, guests were offered prawn and lobster martini, or chicken soup with alphabet spaghetti also spelling the word 'Simon for starters; followed by shepherds pie or fish fingers and chips; then apple pie, rice pudding or bread and butter pudding for dessert. For the dedicated, breakfast was promised 'some time later. The bar was in a baroque theme with crystal chandeliers and black suede banquettes. The ceilings featured mock Michelangelo artwork - adapted to feature Cowells image.
Crowds gathered outside, jostling for position to get a glimpse of the star names as they arrived. The guest list was divided into sections including Cowells family, friends, additions, UK and US colleagues, guests from his company, Syco, and the record label, Sony, producers, artists, Press and others.
The eclectic crowd included actor Kevin Spacey, property millionaires Nick and Christian Candy, supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss and her boyfriend Jamie Hince, Cheryl and Ashley Cole, Gordon Ramsay and his wife Tana, Katie Price, Lord Lloyd-Webber and his wife Madeleine, Michael Winner and his girlfriend Geraldine Lynton-Davies, Myleene Klass and her agent Jonathan Shalit, singer Olivia Newton-John and of course, Simons coterie of ex-girlfriends; former singer Sinitta, TV presenter Terri Seymour and his best friend, ex-glamour model Jackie St Claire. Britains Got Talent winner Paul Potts, girl band Escala, Rhydian and X Factor winner Shayne Ward were among the guests as was Sharon Osbourne, who famously fell out with Cowell when she was dropped from the X Factor in favour of Cheryl Cole.
Kelly Brook, who Cowell axed from Britains Got Talent just days into filming, was also on the guest list. Daily Mail
Record producers Steve Mac, Robin Sellars and Nigel Wright, Pete Waterman, Pop Idol mastermind Simon Fuller, and the outgoing executive chairman of ITV, Michael Grade, were also among the guests.
Several A-list stars including Sir Elton John and Jennifer Lopez and her husband Marc Anthony and the singer Mariah Carey and her husband Nick Cannon were invited but were unable to attend. Miss Carey, who is said to be keen to work with Cowell, sent an 850 bottle of Angel Champagne, which was presented to him at the top table. Billionaire Donald Trump also had to decline his invitation.
This years Britains Got Talent sensation Susan Boyle is understood to have personally called Cowell to tell him she was unable to make last nights black-tie dinner.
Cowells co-stars on Britain and Americas Got Talent, however, were all in attendance including David 'The Hoff Hasselhoff, Amanda Holden and her husband Chris Hughes and Mail on Sunday columnist Piers Morgan. Paula Abdul, a judge on American Idol for eight years, also flew over from LA for the bash along with American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, and judges Kara DioGuardi and Randy Jackson, and his wife Erika. Cowells X Factor co-stars including Louis Walsh, who was part of Simons trip to Miami, and Dannii Minogue were also there.
Both Ms Minogue and fellow judge Amanda Holden arrived in bespoke gowns by Ralph & Russo.
Simon Cowells proteges including Il Divo, Westlife and Leona Lewis had all been lined up to sing, but he also paid 100,000 for Earth, Wind and Fire to entertain guests.
Given that Cowell is known for his vanity as much as his generosity, the host sent guests invitations resembling a mirror, which featured the
X Factor judge surrounded by scantily clad flapper girls. In return, guests brought him mirrors as gifts.
Speaking about the 1million cost of the party, Cowell said: 'I always pick up my own tab whether its for four people or 400.
Publicist Max Clifford bought an 80,000 miniature sculpture of Simons idol Frank Sinatra, by artist Willard Wigan. The piece of art, which has to be viewed through a microscope and is mounted in the eye of a needle, features Sinatra on stage with microphone in hand. 'It was a case of what do you get for the man who has everything? Clifford said yesterday.
'Because Sinatra is Simons hero, I thought this was the perfect gift. My partner Jo and I are giving it to him on behalf of the staff and children at Chase for everything Simon has done for them.
Meanwhile, Simons brother Nicholas, who gave a speech after last nights dinner, presented Simon with
a 25,000 white gold watch made by Dent, who built the Big Ben clock.
Agent Jonathan Shalit presented Cowell with the famous Nirvana Nevermind LP cover, which had been digitally altered to feature Cowells image. 'Its fair to say Simon likes to look at himself, said Shalit. 'So Ive put him on the cover of one of the most famous albums of all time. Daily Mail