Simon Cowell “went berserk” after failing to see the funny side of comic Peter Kay’s spoof of The X Factor, a new book claims.
The pop mogul allegedly wrote the Car Share star a “stinking” email about the 2008 Channel 4 show.
Britain’s Got the Pop Factor... and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice featured voiceover man Peter Dickson – who worked on X Factor.
And in his memoirs, Dickson says Kay told him: “That Simon Cowell went berserk after the Jesus Christ on Ice thing aired.
"He hated it. Thought we were taking the p***. He sent me a really stinking email.
“He was particularly upset about your involvement and I felt a bit guilty about that as I had given you my word it was an affectionate parody.”
Kay, 47, played solo artist Geraldine McQueen in the spoof. It was hosted by Cat Deeley and judged by Nicki Chapman, Pete Waterman and Neil Fox – all judges on the first Pop Idol.
And Dickson says Kay added: “After the reviews came in and the praise was universal, he decided it was OK. Called me to apologise. Nowt as queer as folk, eh?”
*Voiceover Man by Peter Dickson is published by Provox.