The American Idol judge has long declared himself “too selfish” to start his own family, but has become patron of CHASE children’s hospice in Surrey, England because he loves spending time with the kids there.
Cowell admits he often prefers conversing with youngsters – because he finds them more honest than adults.
He says, “The directness of these remarkable children is like a breath of fresh air. I often get a good grilling, although I find it a lot easier to talk to children than adults. If truth be told, I’m maybe just a big kid myself. Over the years I have grown incredibly close to some of the children, probably because I don’t have kids of my own.”
But the music mogul has also been emotionally affected by the tragic tales of some of the seriously ill kids.
He adds, “One little girl, a total sweetheart, was always winding me up by insisting we would be married one day. Sadly she recently died. It was terrible and confusing moment to learn that someone so young had passed away.”
Cowell is also urging U.K. politicians to provide more institutions to care for sick children: “The lack of government support is frustrating – and by becoming patron of Children Hospices U.K. I hope to bring pressure to bear at the very highest level. And I’m pretty good at persuading people.”
