Kissing Cowell

Simon Cowell kissed and made up with fellow 'American Idol' judge Paula Abdul this week - by planting a huge smacker on her lips.

The music mogul had a massive bust-up with Abdul on the TV talent show earlier this week, after he left a host of pop hopefuls devastated with a series of cruel jibes about their performances.

After branding the 45-year-old producer an "obnoxious jerk" the 80s pop star stormed out of an audition, in New Orleans, leaving the record guru red-faced as he sat next to Kiss rocker Gene Simmons - who is also a judge on the panel.

However, yesterday (27.01.05), during a break in filming, Simon leaned over and gave Abdul a long kiss on the mouth to show her how sorry he was.

A show insider said: "Paula pretended to be disgusted but seconds later she was looking in mirror and doing her make-up."

Only last week, Simon was branded an "a**" by Abdul after he reduced a host of contestants to tears on the show.

The record producer was also punched by his fellow judge on the first episode of the hit TV talent show after he left one religious contestant - who told Simon she had been "singled out by God" to win the competition - devastated by telling her: "Trust me. God did not want you to win this contest."