Simon Cowell undergoes regular colonic irrigation because he believes it gives his eyes an extra sparkle, a new book has claimed.
The X Factor supremo is also hooked up to an intravenous drip on a regular basis to flood his body with nutrients, according to the unauthorised biography Sweet Revenge. Tom Bower's book suggests Cowell uses a number of unusual methods to hang on to his health and try to retain a youthful look.
The book, which is being serialised by The Sun, has already blown the lid on the media mogul's affair with former X Factor judge Dannii Minogue and his unflattering comments about acts and judges from the show.
In a further instalment on Wednesday, the book claims Cowell undergoes the irrigation process - in which the intestine is flushed out. He is quoted as saying: "It's so cleansing - and it makes my eyes shine brighter."
He is also said to be put on a drip for half an hour each week when he is at his US home, supplying a boost to the levels of magnesium and vitamins C and B in his body.
Cowell has for years kept his private life under wraps, with his publicist Max Clifford admitting that he has endeavoured to keep a number of stories out of the spotlight. But the multimillionaire TV star spoke to Bower during the preparation of the book.
Clifford said that agreeing to be interviewed had been a "massive own goal".
Cowell posted a message on Twitter to point out that this was not an official biography although he did not deny he had taken part in the book's preparation. He said: "This book is not written by me. It is unauthorised. The writer is Tom Bower."
Take That star Gary Barlow has signed up for a further series as an X Factor panellist, despite unflattering comments about the standard of judging.
