SIMON COWELL put on weight to aid his recovery from a broken back – by adding protein to his strict vegan diet, his pal Sinitta has revealed.
She said the mogul’s determination to watch son Eric grow up had given him strength.
And Simon is just as eager to return to the Britain’s Got Talent panel next year.
Sinitta is in regular contact with Simon, who is holed up at his Malibu mansion with partner Lauren Silverman and their six-year-old boy.
The singer said: “I spoke to him last week and he sounded so much better.
“He wasn’t dazed, sedated or weak. He was really bright, happy and clear. He’s gained a bit of weight and is looking healthier. He said he had to start eating protein, calcium and break his vegan diet to rebuild his strength.
“That’s the wisest thing. He was bloated and stressed, then he was too thin and exhausted.
“Now he is fit and relaxed. He’s found his sweet spot.
“He sounds relieved and exhilarated. The sea air is so healing and rejuvenating.”
Simon suffered the agonising back injury falling off his electric bike in August.
Last year, he shed 4st on a vegan diet and exercise.
Sinitta added: “Lauren said Eric has been the best medicine because he’s so playful.
“Initially the ordeal was a terrible blow — very depressing, very scary. He was in a lot of pain he was having to manage.
“It was all a bit blurry but he couldn’t allow himself to entertain those thoughts.
“He was looking at Eric and thinking, ‘I’ve got to get through this somehow’.
“He’s Mr Invincible and he’ll definitely come sailing through.”
Girls mix up their look
Little Mix pair Jade Thirlwall and Jesy Nelson flash the flesh in fishnets and suspenders – as the band transformed their look for their latest video.
Jade showed off new braids cascading down to her legs and Jesy went hell for leather in a black-and-white leotard as the girls channelled Nineties grunge to promote new single Sweet Melody.
Perrie Edwards and Leigh-Anne Pinnock also revealed striking new hairstyles for the shoot, with Perrie opting for a blonde, fringed look and Leigh-Anne sleek, black locks.
The girls turned up the heat for the video, filmed in a warehouse with flames flickering in the background.
Now they’ll all be hoping Sweet Melody burns up the charts and storms to No1.
Kanye’s ear for wife Kim
Kanye West made sure to add some extra sparkle to wife Kim Kardashian’s 40th birthday by treating her to £50,000 diamond earrings.
The reality star was “ecstatic” with the custom-made jewellery by A-list designer fave Lorraine Schwartz.
It comes after the couple’s marriage was reported to be at “breaking point” in July amid the rapper’s disturbing public battle with mental health issues.
A source said: “It hasn’t been an easy year for their marriage so Kanye wanted to go all out to celebrate Kim’s birthday.
“She was, of course, ecstatic with the gift and it’s just one of the many surprises he has planned.”
In a show of unity, Kanye was by Kim’s side at the surprise birthday party, organised by her mum Kris Jenner.
The bash recreated some of Kim’s most memorable birthdays, with her sisters Khloe and Kourtney serenading the star with a dance routine they had first performed when she turned ten. And Kim didn’t go hungry, as she was presented with replicas of her 1st and 16th birthday cakes.
Kris even bought her daughter a white BMW 3 Series, the car she was gifted by late dad Rob Kardashian on MTV’s My Super Sweet 16.
Sheridan up for more kids
Sheridan Smith is already planning her second child, just five months after giving birth to son Billy.
The actress – who is back at work filming Jack And The Beanstalk for TV with David Walliams – welcomed her son with fiancé Jamie Horn in May.
Sheridan, right, said: “I’d love to have another baby – we’ve already spoken about it.
“It’s hard when you start planning work, but it would be so nice.”
She added on the Keep Calm And Kerry On podcast: “I never saw children on the cards for me, but it puts everything into perspective. Jamie’s dead-set on Billy being an Arsenal player. He’s like, ‘If we can, get him into an academy at three’ and I’m like ‘No’.
“But when Jamie’s out, I put music on and shimmy at him. Whatever Billy does, we’ll support him. I’m learning as I go along.”
Jen’s SNL top tips to Adele
Adele has made her long-awaited screen comeback on Saturday Night Live after almost four years away.
And the Hello singer, got some great advice about hosting the US show from pal Jennifer Lawrence – who fronted it in 2013.
A source said: “Jennifer and Adele are thick as thieves so they have discussed at length how the show will work.
“Her main advice has been to just go for it and enjoy the moment.”
Londoner Adele had fellow singer H.E.R appear on the programme with her, and an album from the Skyfall hitmaker is expected to drop next week after delays due to Covid.
Ahead of the performance, Adele wrote on social media: “I’m so excited about this. And terrified.”
