Reverend And The Makers frontman Jon McClure has branded Simon Cowell “Satan”, saying that he is only in the music industry “for himself and to make money”.

Speaking to The Sun, the singer accused Cowell of “humiliating people and ruining lives” through shows like X Factor and American Idol.

“Simon Cowell is Satan. He’s the devil. I’d like to tie him to an anchor and drop him in the ocean… I’ve never met the guy and I have no desire to see that p***k. He’s a complete d**k,” he said.

“He’ll build people up and tell them they are the next big thing and then play the tambourine in the background just to make a bit of money… The winner of his shows just meets certain criteria.”

McClure, who takes part in the O2 Undiscovered 2009 workshop programme which gives free advice to unsigned acts, added: “He’ll never find anyone with soul though because you can’t buy that.

“The bubble will burst eventually. Cowell will be gone soon. He’ll just flee to America and look increasingly orange.”