Cowell tells 'indulgent' Britney and Robbie to 'get a grip'

Music mogul Simon Cowell has blasted troubled stars Britney Spears and Robbie Williams for checking into rehab, insisting they have no idea of what hard life really is.

The American Idol judge recently visited an impoverished nation and after witnessing the horrific conditions people were forced to live in, he believes Spears and Williams' problems pale in comparison.

Spears is currently in Promises in Malibu, California following months of hard-drinkin, partying and alleged drug-taking, while Williams is seeking treatment for an addiction to painkillers at The Meadows clinic in Arizona.

"This whole thing is a total indulgence," said Cowell. "Britney and Robbie need to get a grip.

"I don't know what's going on in Britney's head but my attitude is I couldn't care less. She should go back and live with her mum for six months.

"I went to a deprived part of the world recently - it really opened my eyes. You can feel sorry for yourself over the smallest things, but then you look at the world and you think, 'I've got nothing to complain about.'

"So when I hear about the Robbies and the Britneys going to into rehab, I think: 'I'll tell you what rehab is. Go to where I just went, where people are really suffering and then you'll see just how good your life is.'

"I mean Britney is not working in a coal mine is she? You are whisked to the studio in a very large limo, you are flown around in private jet, everyone will agree with you and physically making an album is a doddle."