Simon Cowell is reportedly throwing £100 for every cigarette he puffs.
As per The Sunday Mirror, the X Factor bosses were fuming over Simon Cowell's cigarette habit as they have a policy that no smoking is allowed within the Fountain Studios in Wembley, North West London, where the ITV series is filming. But instead of abiding by the rules, the music mogul reportedly chose to pay a £100 fine for every coffin nail he lights.
An insider revealed to the publication that Simon always use the "advert breaks" to have a quick cigarette but because the advertisement was so short he never makes it outside the building. So, to stop himself from rushing outside just to get a quick puff, he decided to pay the fine.
The source also revealed that Simon has chosen to pay the hefty fine as every stick of cigarette help him "relax" and "obviously being on the judging panel while also running the show is very stressful," the source explained.
Further adding, "People say smoking is a very expensive habit - but Simon has taken that to new heights. Over the course of a series we're talking about literally hundreds of pounds."
Simon, who once enjoyed the 40 day smoking habit, previously revealed that he drastically cut down his habit for the sake of his son, Eric. He revealed that he is now down to 10 days smoking.
He said that smoking is his "worst vice" but insisted he never puffs in front of his child as he worries what his son "might say in a few years." But despite the fact that he is cutting down his smoking habit, he admitted that it is very difficult for him.
"This is the one thing I would find very difficult to give up because I do love a cigarette. A cigarette and a beer," Cowell said.
