Cowell was once the fastest " Star in a Reasonably Priced Car " on BBC 's motoring show '' Top Gear '' , driving a Suzuki Liana around the show 's test track in a time of 1:47.1 . When '' Top Gear '' retired the Liana along with its rankings after the eighth series , Cowell was the eighth fastest overall and the third fastest non-professional driver . On 11 November 2007 Cowell yet again appeared on '' Top Gear '' , achieving a time of 1:45.9 thus putting him ahead of chef Gordon Ramsay and back at the top of the table . His time of 1:45.9 was then tied with English rock singer Brian Johnson of AC/DC and '' Grand Designs '' host Kevin McCloud for the second fastest time , just 0.1 seconds behind Jamiroquai singer Jay Kay . In March 2015 , Cowell backed '' Top Gear '' presenter Jeremy Clarkson after he was suspended by the BBC for punching a colleague , with Cowell stating on '' Good Morning Britain '' : " He 's apologised . But I think what is quite obvious is that the public are behind him , but you know , that 's Jeremy . " He appeared on an episode of '' Who Wants to Be a Millionaire ? '' ( the original UK version ) and '' Saturday Night Live '' in 2004 . Cowell has also guest-starred ( filling in for Regis Philbin ) in the popular talk show '' Live with Regis and Kelly '' during '' American Idol '' 's finalist week in early 2006 . Cowell introduced entertainer Dick Clark at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards . He was seen on the British charity telethon Comic Relief , appearing on '' Comic Relief Does The Apprentice '' where he donated £ 25,000 for a fun fair ticket . Cowell has also appeared on the MTV shows Cribs and Punk 'd . On Punk 'd , Ryan Seacrest and Randy Jackson set him up to believe his $ 400,000 Rolls Royce was stolen and had caused an accident by using a nearly identical car
2006 Primetime Emmy Awards
58th Primetime Emmy Awards
Simon Cowell