Is Simon Cowell retiring? Source claims star 'doesn't want to be in limelight anymore' as he moves to countryside

Simon Cowell recently sold his impressive $57 million Holland Park residence sparking rumors of his choice to embrace a quieter life
PUBLISHED JUL 30, 2023
Simon Cowell may have just announced he's retiring (Eamonn M McCormack/Getty Images)
Simon Cowell may have just announced he's retiring (Eamonn M McCormack/Getty Images)

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM: Simon Cowell, known as television's "Mr Saturday Night," was a constant presence in the media spotlight during 'The X Factor's peak, drawing over 14 million viewers. He enjoyed dining with celebrity friends at upscale Mayfair restaurants, where paparazzi eagerly awaited to capture his moments. Desiring to remain in the public eye, he would invite editors to his luxurious mansion in West London for social gatherings and joyrides in his Maserati

However, things seem to have taken a turn as he recently sold his impressive $57 million Holland Park residence. Reportedly, Daily Mail sources have claimed that he has chosen to embrace a quieter life in the serene Oxfordshire countryside, suggesting that he might be heading towards retirement from the showbiz scene.

Judge Simon Cowell attends the Britain's Got Talent 2023 Photocall at London Palladium on January 27, 2023 in London, England.
Judge Simon Cowell attends the Britain's Got Talent 2023 Photocall at London Palladium on January 27, 2023 in London, England (Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images)

Has Cowell made himself scarce? 

It is important to mention that Cowell has made no direct implications of his retirement and it is only sources that have put forth their observations. Furthermore, it has come to light that his fiancée, Lauren Silverman, has assumed significant responsibilities in his once highly successful entertainment company, Syco. It appears she now runs the company with little involvement from Cowell himself. 

(L-R) Lauren Silverman, Eric Cowell and Simon Cowell attend a
(L-R) Lauren Silverman, Eric Cowell and Simon Cowell attend a "America's Got Talent" Season 17 Live Show at Sheraton Pasadena Hotel on September 13, 2022 in Pasadena, California (David Livingston/Getty Images)

According to people who are familiar with Simon Cowell, aged 63, he doesn't frequently spend time with his renowned acquaintances, except for Amanda Holden. Holden's husband, Chris Hughes, played a crucial role in signing Cowell to the YMU talent agency in the previous year. Interestingly, it was Cowell's fiancée, Lauren Silverman, aged 46, who orchestrated this significant deal.

‘Now he has slunk off into obscurity’

Despite his continued role as a judge on ITV's Britain"s Got Talent, where he shares the panel with Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell currently has no other television commitments. A source claimed, "It's like Simon has totally changed his direction of travel. He was once so keen to be in the papers that he could barely go for a walk without it being on the front of the tabloids. Now he has slunk off into obscurity – he won't even tell anyone where he lives."

Judges (L-R) David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon attend the Britain's Got Talent Auditions at the London Palladium on January 18, 2022 in London, England.
Judges (L-R) David Walliams, Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon attend the Britain's Got Talent Auditions at the London Palladium on January 18, 2022 in London, England (Eamonn M. McCormack/Getty Images)

"He wanted to be talked about and written about, but all of a sudden he doesn't want to be in the limelight anymore. He just wants to be at home with Eric while Lauren runs what is left of his business," the source claimed.

"The harem of women has gone, as has Louis Walsh. Now it's just Amanda. He will sometimes see others, such as Alan Carr and Alesha Dixon, through her. Nobody can work out what has happened here – he went from being so in need of fame to hating it," the source added.

RELATED TOPICS SIMON COWELL

GET THE BIGGEST ENTERTAINMENT STORIES
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

MORE STORIES

John Oliver was bleeped out twice during his brief, 15-second Emmys acceptance speech on live television after he roasted host Nate Bargatze
Sep 15, 2025
Kevin Hart doesn't appreciate paparazzi’s question after viral video of him hosting Diddy’s party resurfaces
Apr 6, 2025
Diddy’s childhood friend Tim Patterson claims Janice Combs’s wild parties often involved pimps, homosexuals, and other adult activities
Apr 6, 2025
Lisa Marie Presley and Michael Jackson tied the knot in 1994, but she initially thought the King of Pop was a creep—and we totally get why
Apr 6, 2025
Riley Keough opens up about the Presley family curse in a candid interview while on tour for her book, 'From Here to the Great Unknown'
Apr 5, 2025
Natalie Morales hits back after her interview with Seth Meyers is removed from all platforms due to a revealing outfit
Apr 5, 2025
"Babyface, can you believe she wants me to dress like a girl?" Michael Jackson told a producer.
Apr 2, 2025
Sofia Vergara also dished out on why she doesn't ever want to play Modern Family's Gloria again
Apr 2, 2025
"It took more and more to get high, and I honestly don't know when your body decides it can't deal with it anymore," Lisa Marie Presley wrote.
Apr 1, 2025
A family member's last-minute intervention saved Michael Jackson from the 9/11 tragedy—here’s what happened
Apr 1, 2025