Simon Cowell may be known as the mean judge on 'X Factor' and formerly "American Idol," but this week, he's being called a hero. Simon Cowell reportedly saved the lives of nine people on a sinking yacht off the coast of south France.
The multi-millionaire music mogul was enjoying a vacation with "ex-girlfriend" Sinitta on his boat near St. Tropez when he received a May Day distress call from a sinking vessel nearby.
The 52-year-old jumped into action and told his captain and crew to redirect his boat to help the sinking 35-foot yacht called Slipstream, according to the Daily Mail. Once closer to the vessel in danger, Cowell had a smaller boat sent to rescue the troubled passengers and had them brought back to his own boat. His staff also helped pump water out of the sinking boat.
Sinnitra, 43, who was reportedly dating Cowell, tweeted about the incident.
"OMG!! Just had a May Day message , 35ft boat sinking.. SC has sent us to help and rescue 9 people on board! Slipstream look alike boat" she wrote on Wednesday.
Sinnitra later updated her followers on the incident. "Everyone ok, noone hurt.captain won't let boat sink, petrol in sea etc would cause major problems and fines. No tide, so hole plugged."
Cowell's rep has confirmed the incident, The Insider reported.
"He only did what any good person would do," said a source to the Daily Star. "If his yacht was in trouble he would want someone to come to his rescue. It was just lucky they happened to be close by."
This isn't the first time Cowell has been called a hero. In February he gave a father-to-be a ride home in his private jet so the man could be there for the birth of his first child.
Saint Tropez and the south of France is a top vacation pick for Cowell. He often visits the area.
Cowell often holidays in the south of France and earlier this month he was spotted lapping up the French sunshine aboard a yacht.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
