SIMON COWELL - COWELL. SARAH MICHELLE WHO.

TV talent judge SIMON COWELL had the honour of meeting BUFFY THE VAMPIRE stunner SARAH MICHELLE GELLAR - but failed to recognise her.

The controversial adjudicator on hit TV show AMERICAN IDOL was approached by the Hollywood babe, who he now claims is a fan of his.

But evidently Cowell couldn't return the compliment - he didn't even know who she was.

The impresario says, "We were talking and I honestly hadn't got a clue who she was. She was saying how much she loves American Idol and how she was a fan of mine.

"Then she asked me to sign an autograph for her. I had to say, 'Sorry, what was your name?' and someone else who was standing with us said, 'That's Sarah Michelle Gellar!'

"I said, 'Who?' and they said 'She plays Buffy!'

"I said, 'Sorry, you've lost me.' They had to explain to me who she was."