Simon Cowell has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his services to television.
The X Factor boss was honoured with the award during a ceremony in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
Simon, 58, was joined by his partner, Lauren Silverman, and their four-year-old son, Eric, and Lauren’s son Adam, whom she has from a previous relationship.
The family were also joined by celebrities whose careers he had helped launch, including singer Leona Lewis and One Direction star Louis Tomlinson.
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Simon, who wore a white shirt and black trousers during the ceremony, has launched successful TV talent shows in both the UK and the US.
Accepting the honour, the music mogul said: “I was a massive fan of American television, American movies, when I was growing up.
“I remember the first time I came to Hollywood, a long time ago and thinking it was the most magical place. And now I’m looking down at this, it’s so surreal.”
Thanking his partner Lauren, who looked stunning in a white Roksanda dress, he added: “Lauren, you have been my rock over the last few years.
“And one thing I was thinking about today was who would have got the biggest kick out of this and it’s my mum and dad, and they are not here.”
He added: “I have a feeling they are looking down. And now I look over to my son, Eric, and say, ‘maybe one day you will get one of these as well’.”
Simon’s Britain’s Got Talent co-stars Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden were also in attendance.
The star’s fellow America’s Got Talent judges Mel B, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel also celebrated the occasion.
Simon, whose star is number 2,642 on the Walk Of Fame, first appeared on TV as a judge on talent show Pop Idol which began in 2001.
He launched American Idol a year later before creating The X Factor in 2004. The show has become a worldwide success and has launched the careers of artists including Fifth Harmony, One Direction and Little Mix.
Artists discovered by Simon’s TV shows have sold more than 500 million records worldwide, according to the Hollywood Chamber Of Commerce, the body in charge of the Walk Of Fame
During the ceremony, Simon added: “It’s been a blast, the last 18 years. And if anyone says fame is a bad thing, I don’t know what they are talking about because it’s the best thing in the world.”
Read more: X Factor confirms date and time new series will start on ITV
He was introduced to the stage by US singer Kelly Clarkson, whose career was launched by winning the first ever American Idol in 2002.
The 36-year-old joked she was one of the few artists Simon had never been rude to, before praising him for “appreciating authenticity”.
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