Simone’s friend Lauren Silverman rushed to the stage to comfort Simon and put her arms around him. Superstar Nicole Scherzinger also tried to console Simon as Louis Walsh sat there stunned.
Dermot hurriedly turned the cameras away from Simon and said cautiously, “Well, I don’t need to say anything else Simon, thank you.”
The charity song was for the children’s hospice and some fans also nearly burst into tears. Proceeds from the song will go to Shooting Star and Together For Short Lives. Shooting Star provides palliative care for babies and children who are not expected to live long. Together For Short Lives provides information and support for families expecting a child or child to die soon from a difficult situation.
Simon Cowell has been a patron of the charity Together For Short Lives since 2009 (it was then known as Children’s Hospices UK; changed name in 2011 after merging with ACT). He was very active in philanthropy throughout his life, especially in terms of supporting children and animals.