Chewing gum is a simple habit, but for Simon Cowell, it’s become a sticky situation—literally. Britain’s Got Talent bosses have officially banned the TV mogul from chewing gum on set, and the reason behind it is both amusing and a little gross. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this a fair call, or are producers overreacting to a minor quirk? Let’s dive in.
Since the show’s debut in 2007, Cowell, alongside Amanda Holden, has been a staple on the judging panel. This season, they’re joined by Alesha Dixon and KSI, who replaced Bruno Tonioli. But Cowell’s long-standing habit of chewing gum—loudly, no less—has finally crossed a line. Production staff recently discovered a ‘masticated mass’ of gum under the judges’ desk after filming, prompting the ban. And this is the part most people miss: it’s not just about the mess. Cowell’s gum-chewing has reportedly caused headaches for producers, who’ve struggled to enforce the rule on the notoriously stubborn judge.
‘Simon is always chewing gum on set and has left producers with a real headache,’ a source told The Sun. ‘They tried to implement the gum ban, but telling Simon “No” is a task in itself.’ The ban has since been extended to the entire panel, meaning Holden, Dixon, and KSI are also gum-free zones. But Cowell’s gum habit isn’t the only thing causing chaos. During filming, he once walked on stage with a wad of gum stuck to his trousers, oblivious to the thousands of fans in the audience. Talk about an awkward moment!
But is this ban a bit much? Cowell himself has admitted that chewing gum—specifically a £5 variety called CB12—is his ‘most annoying habit.’ ‘I chew gum really loudly and it drives everyone mad,’ he said. Yet, it’s hard to ignore the entertainment value he brings to the show. After all, this is the same man who bought stink bombs from a joke shop in Blackpool, much to the production team’s dismay. Amanda Holden recalled, ‘Word got round that the stink bombs had been bought and the producers gave us a big talking to. We weren’t allowed them.’
As Britain’s Got Talent enters its 19th season, the panel promises a ‘bonkers and British’ affair, with judges fiercely competing for the golden buzzer. Dixon even admitted to diving across the desk to beat Cowell to it, injuring herself in the process. ‘For me overall, this season felt like we were back to the chaos that we love on our show,’ she said. Hosts Ant McPartlin and Dec Donnelly echoed this sentiment, calling it ‘the one show on telly where you just don’t know what’s going to come on screen from one week to the next.’
So, what do you think? Is the gum ban a necessary rule, or are producers being too strict? And does Cowell’s quirky behavior add to the show’s charm, or is it time for him to clean up his act? Let us know in the comments—we’re all ears!
