AMERICAN IDOL - COWELL SCARRED OF GETTING SUED

AMERICAN IDOL judge SIMON COWELL is so scared of getting sued by AMERICAN IDOL contestants - he's making them sign a contract saying that his famously harsh comments will not lead to legal prosecutions.

The acid tongued music mogul, dubbed MR NASTY, is famed for his blunt comments such as "If your lifeguard duties were as good as your singing, a lot of people would drown." And "Did you really believe you could be the idol? Well, then, you're deaf."

The contract will also include ban MARIAH CAREY songs from being covered and the use of alcohol and drugs.

The only defence Simon could come up with was, "Sometimes the truth is perceived as mean."