Simon Cowell may be nicknamed Mr Nasty in TV but it seems that the TV boss has a hidden soft side.

The music mogul may have a cutting tongue and caustic critiques, but it has been revealed that he makes a lot of time for his charity work and regularly meets with sick children on the set of his biggest TV shows.

Insiders told The Sun that Cowell invited groups of children from the charity Shooting Stars Chase to watch the all Britain’s Got Talent rehearsals last month and that he will do the same when The X Factor starts later this year.

One insider explained:

“Simon might be a multi-millionaire but he does an awful lot for charity. And he doesn’t just donate money, he gives his time.

“These kids love coming down to the show and he makes it special by teasing them and playing games with them.

“He enjoys it and they have a day they will never forget. He lets them take photos of him doing silly things. He’s great with them.”

Last year Simon was behind organising the X Factor charity single “Wishing on a Star”, which was recorded by the show’s 16 finalists, with JLS and One Direction. All proceeds were donated to Together for Short Lives, which provides palliative care for children with critical or terminal conditions.