Julie Cowell, 86, pulled the same facial expressions as the Britain's Got Talent and X Factor star when she watched wannabes in a contest at the weekend.

But instead of reducing them to tears, they were all smiles after she told them what she thought of their acts. Little Saffron Barker, winner of the Under-12s section, said: "It was really fun to have Julie Cowell judging us.

"I'm glad she wasn't like Simon Cowell - because sometimes he's a bit mean to the people singing.

"I think maybe he should be a bit more like her."

Over-12s winner Amy Moore, 17, added: "I think I'd have been more nervous singing in front of Simon - he is maybe a bit more harsh.

Julie, who was judging Rottingdean's Got Talent and lives in the East Sussex village, tends to agree. She wouldn't sit on a panel with her 51-year-old son because they'd argue too much.