Cowell Vaults From 'American Idol' Hook to Queen's Knight

It will be simple for Simon Cowell to become a knight to remember on Dec. 31, according to the London Sunday Mail. Not that anybody could forget him anytime soon, for the acerbic wit he displayed for the eight years when he was the sharpest-tongued judge on “American Idol.”

Cowell’s softer side (who knew?) apparently helped boost him onto Queen Elizabeth II’s list of new knights to be announced on New Year’s Eve, the Mail reported. To sir goes the love largely for his work raising money to provide relief for Haitians after the deadly earthquake in January, as well as other national and international fundraising efforts, according to the Mail.

The 51-year-old “X Factor” judge and media mogul also had the support of Labour and Conservative politicians for his contributions to the music and entertainment industry, the Mail reported sources as saying.

Not everybody is gathering ’round the table to salute the knight in waiting, however. Indeed, the Mail reports indignantly that British media legend Bruce Forsyth is being treated like a pawn.

“It looks like ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ presenter Forsyth, 82, will be missing out on the title again, despite his seven decades on television,” the Mail reports with a twist of bitterness.

The Mail acknowledges, though, that Cowell at least has feigned modesty at the possibility of becoming a knight, putting his chances at “less than zero but noting that “‘Sir Simon’ has a nice ring to it,” the Mail quoted him as saying.

He added: “I never did all this to get a knighthood. I am very lucky to do what I do and feel privileged.”