Simon Cowell’s ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour has been talking to the Press Association about the terrifying attack on her that took place outside the studios where American Idol was being filmed.

It seems that a “crazed fan”, Janice Thibodeaux, launched herself at Terri and tried to strangle her, apparently in retaliation for Terri playfully pretending to throttle judge Paula Abdul a week prior to the attack.

Terri said of the attack, “It was very scary and this crazy woman came up to me and got me in a headlock and started strangling me.

“But I was lucky my producer was with me and he jumped in.

“She was arrested and it’s all fine now but it wasn’t a very nice experience. She was a crazy lady.” said Terri.

Thibodeaux was later sentenced to three years probation after admitting to “misdemeanour battery” on Terri.