Cowell 'more famous than God'

By Rhiannon Beacham, PA

Monday, 15 December 2008

Independent.co.uk

 

X Factor judge Simon Cowell is more famous than God or the Queen, according to a survey of British children aged under 10 released today.

The multi-millionaire television personality rose from number five in last year's ratings to knock The Queen off the top spot.

God was in second place.

 

The fourth annual survey of 1,600 under-10s also put good looks at the top of their list of the very best things in the world, for the first time.

Riches and fame came in second and third positions.

 

Being fat topped the list of worst things in the world, rising from number three last year. It was number nine in 2006, but was not featured in the 2005 list.

 

Asked what rules they would make if they were king or queen of the world, the number one response, for the first time, was to ban divorce.

Divorce was also in the number two slot in the worst things in the world, rising from number seven last year and eight the year before. It was not featured in 2005.

Bullying would also be banned and has risen to the number two slot from number three last year and number five the year before.

 

Over 80 per cent of the children questioned thought they would probably marry when they grow up although 17 per cent gave a definite "no" on the subject.

 

Sixty six per cent wanted to have children, with most of them stopping at one or two. Nearly a third (29 per cent) were unsure about becoming parents.

 

Perceptions of wealth vary greatly and, asked how much money was needed to be rich, the figures ranged from £100,000 to "trillions" - substantially up on 2007 when true wealth had a ceiling of £1bn.

 

Nearly all had a best friend who is kind, but many said they were in love - the number two reason for having a best friend this year, rising from number five last year and seven the year before. "We are in love" was at number nine in 2005.

Love also creeps into the list of the best things in the world for the first time at number seven.

 

Saturday remains the best day of the week for most, because there is no school and they can stay up late to watch television.

 

Around two thirds of the children who took part said they were happy, but 27 per cent were not and a further 7 per cent were unsure.

 

The nationwide research was carried out by Luton First, sponsors and organisers of the fourth annual National Kids' Day.

 

Patricia Murchie, of Luton First, said: "It seems clear that many pre-teens are more concerned than ever with their looks and weight - possibly reflecting media images of glamour, and new educational initiatives in nutrition and healthy eating."

She said: "The idea of the special Kids' Day is to give pre-teens a national voice for their opinions in a very simple format.

"This particular age group has some very clear ideas on how the world could be changed for the better, but are very rarely given the opportunity to express them."

 

Any Comments regarding the children's opinions in this survey?

Obsession with being thin, with money, with celebs, this next generation is going to be even more shallow and selfish and materialistic than the current generation :manson: :rolleyes:

 

**disclaimer - this post is a general observation and and is not aimed at any BJ member or members**

Obsession with being thin, with money, with celebs, this next generation is going to be even more shallow and selfish and materialistic than the current generation :manson: :rolleyes:

 

**disclaimer - this post is a general observation and and is not aimed at any BJ member or members**

 

To be fair, it might just mean that the message on childhood obesity is actually getting through.... Surely a good thing for the general health of the nation dont you think...? The rest of your point is fairly valid though, it's not healthy to be obsessed with materialism, etc at a young age, thing is though, it's interesting you saying that, but surely it was Thatcherism and the "greed is good" culture of the 80s than began all this materialistic attitude amongst the young Craig... :P

 

I can understand the attitude of youngsters to divorce in all honesty... The devastating effect that parents divorcing should certainly not be underestimated, I vividly remember how I felt when my folks divorced... Of course I understood the reasons why when I got older, but I was 11 and it was like my whole world was just being ripped apart, and I felt like it was my fault too.... I can totally relate to how kids can feel about that....

 

quite ironic really seeing as theres more childhood obesity now then ever, plus you are more likely to get divorced now then ever...

 

as for cowell.... yeah well i dont believe in god either!

as for cowell.... yeah well i dont believe in god either!

 

:lol: :lol:

 

Oh, if only Cowell was a similar figment of our collective imagination..... :lol:

 

It really IS depressing though... I mean, it would be like a similar thing being done in the 80s and kids saying Pete Waterman was "bigger than God"....

 

Mind you, I reckon it would more than likely have been Kylie and Jason than Waterman himself..... *shudders at thought*

 

Actually Cowell IS bigger than God. I read that more people have watched this series of X-Factor than have ever been to church on any Sunday. :o

Edited December 16, 200816 yr by Crazy Chris

Actually Cowell IS bigger than God. I read that more people have watched this series of X-Factor than have ever been to church on any Sunday. :o

 

depends which god you are on about....

depends which god you are on about....

 

You know the one...God.

 

Not sure if this has been mentioned but the only reason why simon cowell has chosen that track Hallelujah to cover is because Leonard Cohen has been swindled out of his retirement fund so Cowell agreed to help by covering his song.

Actually Cowell IS bigger than God. I read that more people have watched this series of X-Factor than have ever been to church on any Sunday. :o

 

You could probably say the same thing about the World Cup or Champions League Finals as well though.....

 

The divorce one is really depressing :cry:

To be fair, it might just mean that the message on childhood obesity is actually getting through.... Surely a good thing for the general health of the nation dont you think...?

 

I know you weren't talking to me, but it's not really about 'health', IMO. If it was, the nation would want EVERYONE to be healthy, not just the overweight/obese. Skinny/slim people who lead unhealthy lives get a free pass.

Obsession with being thin, with money, with celebs, this next generation is going to be even more shallow and selfish and materialistic than the current generation :manson: :rolleyes:

 

**disclaimer - this post is a general observation and and is not aimed at any BJ member or members**

Gosh what a dig at me Tom :o

I know you weren't talking to me, but it's not really about 'health', IMO. If it was, the nation would want EVERYONE to be healthy, not just the overweight/obese. Skinny/slim people who lead unhealthy lives get a free pass.

 

Yeah, I guess you do have a point there... But childhood obesity is kinda the one that everyone banged on about a while back.. Of course, there really should be as much focus put onto anorexia or bulimia amongst kids, because those are probably even more dangerous.... The media tends to promote this 'body fascist' image of skinniness though which women in particular are meant to aspire to... Ironically, it used to be in the past that being overweight and well-fed was a sign of success and riches, you just have to look at paintings from those sorts of eras.....

 

Maybe God should appear on his own saturday night talent show :rolleyes: