Cowell 'screening' Paula's lovers

They are constantly bickering as fellow judges on 'American Idol', but now Mr Nasty Simon Cowell is showing his soft side, as he considers Paula Abdul's love interests.

Simon is determined to scrutinise Paula’s new boyfriend – restaurateur JT Torregiani – to make sure he is a suitable match.

But according to Abdul, it’s not the first time the acerbic judge has taken an interest in her love life.

“Simon is already calling me and bugging me and saying: 'Let me talk to him',” Paula revealed in an interview with World Entertainment News Network.

“Simon always does this to me.”

It has been revealed in a new poll of US TV's highest-paid stars that Cowell enjoys annual earnings of $45m (€67m).

The 47-year-old is the brains behind popular talent shows 'America's Got Talent' and 'American Idol', with the latter attracting more than 30 million viewers per episode.

Cowell's impressive salary still cannot touch Oprah Winfrey's massive earnings - she remains top of the TV Guide magazine's rich list with a whopping $130m (€193.7m) a year.