He is known to be the one judging others.

But Simon Cowell has shocked fans and come under scrutiny for his ‘unrecognisable looks’ in a promotional video he filmed for the Britain’s Got Talent final on Saturday.

The music mogul, 65, smiled at the camera and said: ‘We’re live from Hammersmith, it’s minutes before the final, I am really excited. I haven’t got a clue who is going to win but that’s a good thing.

‘Thanks for watching everyone’.

It wasn’t the fact it was the ITV talent show’s final that fans focused on, but Cowell’s face some said made him look like ‘An AI version of Simon Cowell’ – before the comments were turned off stopping anyone else from passing judgement.

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Simon Cowell, 65, has shocked fans and come under scrutiny for his ‘unrecognisable looks’ in a promotional video he filmed for the BGT final on Saturday (Pictured right in 2022)

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He smiled at the camera and said: ‘We’re live from Hammersmith, it’s minutes before the final, I am really excited. I haven’t got a clue who is going to win but that’s a good thing’.

The former X-Factor judge was one of the first male TV stars to admit to having Botox and filler but insists he has not had plastic surgery.

On claims he has had a surgical procedure, the father-of-one last year said: ‘I think it’s hysterical. I mean it just makes me laugh – I haven’t had a facelift or anything.

‘I have had a bit of Botox but kind of nothing drastic. So when I hear about this stuff honestly it does make me laugh.’

In 2018, Cowell revealed he had a £2,000 treatment, dubbed a 21st-century facelift. He got a Silhouette Soft Lift, which involves sewing bioplastic-infused thread into the face and neck and tugging it to get rid of sagging skin.

He said at the time: ‘For me now, it’s all about having clean skin. If you have clean skin, you look better. But you have to be very careful with some of this stuff.’

The former music label manager admitted that he once got so much Botox injected into his face that he looked ‘like something out of a horror film.’

He added: ‘There was a stage where I might have gone a bit too far. I saw a picture of me from ‘before’ the other day and didn’t recognize it as me first of all. Eric [Simon’s son] was in hysterics.

‘Enough was enough. There is no filler in my face at all now. Zero.’

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It wasn’t the fact it was the ITV talent show’s final that fans focused on, but Cowell’s face some said made him look like ‘An AI version of Simon Cowell’

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The former X-Factor judge was one of the first male TV stars to admit to having Botox and filler but insists he has not had plastic surgery (Pictured with Amanda Holden during BGT final)

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Simon admitted that he once got so much Botox injected into his face that he looked ‘like something out of a horror film’ and left son Eric in hysterics (Pictured together late 2024)

Instead, Cowell now attributes his transformation to changing his diet. He said: ‘There was a phase where everyone was having their faces pumped full of this and the other. But actually, for me now, a lot of it comes down to healthy eating and drinking tons of water.’

But in 2024 Professor Ullas Raghavan, a renowned cosmetic surgeon at Pall Mall Medical, has given his view of Simon’s age-defying visage.

In the 1980s, Cowell was far from the polished, suited TV mogul recognised today.

Working behind the scenes in the music industry, he sported a youthful, natural appearance with a fuller face, un-styled hair and his own teeth.

By the early 2000s, when Pop Idol and American Idol catapulted him to fame, his style had sharpened.

Cowell was known for his casual wardrobe of black T-shirts and jeans, but his face still showed the hallmarks of natural ageing, with subtle lines and a softer jawline.

Fast forward to the 2010s, and his look started to change dramatically. His face appeared more sculpted, with fuller cheeks and a smoother forehead.

This transformation sparked a wave of speculation about the cosmetic interventions he might have undergone.

Professor Raghavan suggests Cowell could have opted for several procedures to maintain his youthful appearance.

‘From what we’ve seen over the years, Simon may have had Botox injections to smooth out wrinkles on his forehead and around his eyes,’ Prof Raghavan told MailOnline.

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In the 1980s, Simon was far from the polished, suited TV mogul recognised today. Working behind the scenes in the music industry, he sported a youthful, natural appearance

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In 2024 Professor Ullas Raghavan, a renowned cosmetic surgeon at Pall Mall Medical, gave his view of Simon’s age-defying visage (Simon pictured through the years)

‘The fuller cheeks could suggest dermal fillers to restore volume that naturally decreases with age. This would give his face a more youthful, plumped appearance, counteracting the natural hollowing that occurs over time.’

Professor Raghavan also speculates the Britain’s Got Talent judge may have undergone additional cosmetic procedures to enhance his appearance.

‘He may have had a facelift to tighten the sagging skin around his jawline, giving him a more defined and sculpted look. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s also had a face and neck lift, as well as a brow lift, which would elevate his brows and open up his eyes, giving him a more refreshed and alert appearance.

‘A blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery) would likely have helped rejuvenate the area around his eyes, removing excess skin or fat from the upper or lower eyelids. This would smooth out any puffiness or drooping and further contribute to the youthful transformation we’ve seen in Simon over the years.’