Simon Cowell likes what he hears, but won't kiss Susan Boyle

By April MacIntyre Apr 17, 2009, 2:37 GMT

Britain\'s Got Talent had the astounding Paul Potts a few years ago, and now it has Susan Boyle, a Scottish spinster who blew the socks off a dubious Piers Morgan and a sniggering Simon Cowell on Britain\'s top-rated talent show. Albert L. Ortega / PR Photos

Britain's Got Talent had the astounding Paul Potts a few years ago, and now it has Susan Boyle, a Scottish spinster who blew the socks off a dubious Piers Morgan and a sniggering Simon Cowell on Britain's top-rated talent show.

“I've never ever felt anything like it in my life…It was just the most astonishing feeling at the time,” said Cowell, astonished at the rendition of Boyle's Les Miserables song.

Over 16 million people have heard Susan Boyle sing and seen Simon Cowell react to her Britain’s Got Talent audition on YouTube, but Cowell tells only “Extra’s” Terri Seymour how a pleasantly surprising performance turned his bad day into a memorable one.

He says, “I remember we were up in Scotland and had a terrible, terrible day. I was bored. I was frustrated. And this little old lady comes on stage [and I say,] 'Here we go again.' ...I thought this audition was going to last three seconds. So did the audience....Then she started to sing and I've never ever felt anything like it in my life. The whole place just turned. And it was just the most astonishing feeling at the time...."

Cowell continues, “She's a sensation over the world. Good for her…I'm really happy for her because she's a really, really sweet person. This is going to change her life.”

Although Boyle has been ridiculed for her looks all her life, Cowell says, “Part of her charm is the fact she is what she is. She’s not particularly worried about the way she looks...She's just someone who loves singing. I don’t think she's aware of what’s happening to her.”

The 47-year-old also admits she’s never been kissed, but Cowell declares, “No, I will not be the first person to kiss her."

Cowell’s fellow American Idol judge Randy Jackson sings a different tune. He tells Seymour, “I think Simon and I should do a dual kiss on each cheek on Susan Boyle. I'll fly to London with him. We will sit right beside her and kiss her at the same time. We'll do a countdown to the kiss."

PLUS – As for the rumors of tension between AI’s Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi, Simon comments, “They're both on the show. They both seem to get along well...As far as I'm concerned, we'll all be back on it next year...There’s no weirdness going on behind the scenes as it’s being reported. It’s simply not true.

“Extra’s” interview with Simon Cowell airs tonight.