POP mogul Simon Cowell hated Peter Kay parodying his string of reality show hits according to a new book.

Cowell, 60, is said to have thought the Bolton comedian's shows Britain's Got the Pop Factor and Possibly a New Celebrity Jesus Christ Soapstar Superstar Strictly on Ice "undermined his success."

So incensed was the TV hitmaker that he emailed Kay criticising his decision to use narrator Peter Dickinson, reported The Sun.

Kay, 47, is said to have told Dickinson: “He hated it. Hated everything about it. Thought we were taking the p***, undermining his success. He sent me a really stinking email.”

Kay allegedly added: “He was particularly upset about your involvement and I felt a bit guilty about that as I had given you my word, when we met, that it was an affectionate parody.”

“After the reviews came in and the praise for it was universal, he decided it was OK. Called me to apologise. Nowt as queer as folk, eh?”

The allegations have emerged in Dickinson’s new book, Voiceover Man.

Kay fans are still hoping that the Farnworth funnyman will reschedule his spring tour after it fell victim of the coronavirus pandemic earlier this year.

The comedian had been set for a return to the spotlight as a DJ at six Dance For Life charity fundraisers in April and May until they became a casualty of the lockdown.

The events, in aid of Cancer Research UK, would have marked a return to the spotlight for the comic, who in 2017 cancelled his first tour for eight years, citing "unforeseen family circumstances".

Organisers of Dance For Life said they hoped to reschedule in future.