TV personality Simon Cowell is well-known for his judging prowess, but back in 1991, he was a game show contestant himself. In a throwback photo shared on Instagram, the former “American Idol” judge appears in a suit and tie on the show “Sale of the Century.”
A young Cowell (he was in his early 30s at the time) looks prim and proper compared to his more casual appearance behind the judges’ table. However, his trademark confidence and sense of humor were on full display during this appearance, long before he became a household name thanks to shows like “America’s Got Talent.”
Cowell Told the ‘Sale of the Century’ Audience About a Beloved Hobby
GettyDuring his appearance on “Sale of the Century,” Cowell was asked about one of his hobbies: go-kart racing. “Is it fun?” the host asked Cowell. “Fantastic,” he said. Cowell went on to share that the hobby was relatively safe due to go-kart stability. He proudly shared that top speeds in go-kart racing got up to 50 miles per hour.
The AGT host certainly knows how to spot a winner, and that may partially be because he’s a winner himself. He made it to the prize round of the game show, beating out two other contestants. Instead of choosing to take home the grand prize at the end, Cowell decided to come back and try his luck another time.
He Reflected on Some Past Mistakes in 2025
Getty“Sale of the Century” was just the beginning of a decades-long relationship with the world of television for Cowell, and he has learned some important lessons along the way. In 2025, he reflected on some things he wished he had done differently during his “American Idol” tenure. Speaking in a “The Interview” podcast episode for the New York Times, he admitted that he was often harsher than necessary.
“I did realize I’ve probably gone too far,” he said. “I was frustrated. I didn’t particularly like — I still don’t — audition days, because they’re long and boring. I would get fed up.” Though he did complain that shows often highlighted his negative comments in favor of any praise he shared, he still apologized for his past behavior. “That was then,” he said. “I’m not proud of it. Let’s put it that way.”
Both “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” are back for new seasons in 2026, giving more hopefuls a chance to make their dreams of stardom a reality.
