Simon Cowell has topped a new list of Reality TV’s richest stars, with an estimated fortune of £225million.
The X Factor boss has beaten Britain’s Got Talent star Susan Boyle, who is worth £22million, and his proteges One Direction, who are worth £20million each, to top Now magazine’s list.
But while Simon came first in the list, six of the names featured in the article are in fact ones signed up by Cowell – who wouldn’t have made it in the industry without his help.
As well as Susan and One Direction, Will Young (£13.5million) Leona Lewis (£12million), Alexandra Burke (£12million), Gareth Gates (£6.5million), Paul Potts (£6million) and JLS (£6million) all feature on the list.
Girls Aloud, who first found fame on Popstars: The Rivals, also featured prominently on the list.
Cheryl Cole came in fifth place with a fortune of £15million, while bandmate Kimberley Walsh placed in number 11 with £6.8million.
Nicola Roberts, who also has her own cosmetics line Dainty Doll, featured in 13th place with £6.5million.
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The golden touch: Susan Boyle and Cheryl Cole both made the list and have Cowell to thank for their success
Bank rolled: One Direction are yet another act that have Cowell to thank for their global success and they made it to number three on the list
Sarah Harding was in 15th place with an estimated wealth of £6.3million, and Nadine Coyle was in 18th with a fortune of £6million.
In the list, 50% of those featured found fame through singing talent shows such as The X Factor and Pop Idol.
But while the rest of the list are made up of ‘stars’ who appeared on shows including programmes including Made In Chelsea and Big Brother, many of them aren’t what you would call household names.
The X Factor: Cheryl Cole was placed at number five while Leona made it to number seven
Reality bites: Through her equestrian attire, TV shows and glamour modelling, Katie Price has amassed a £17.5million fortune
A winning smile: Pop star Will Young made his name from reality TV but has moved on to acting
Those little-known ‘celebrities’ include Francis Boulle, of Made In Chelsea fame, who has an estimated wealth of £10.1million – though this is more to do with his personal fortune rather than money he has made through the E4 show.
Former Apprentice contestant Paul Torrisi also made the list, in 20th position, with a fortune of £5.5million.
Stars who are perhaps more well-known for their other ventures than their reality shows to make the list include Katie Price (£17.5million) who came in fourth, and Levi Roots, who came in eighth place having amassed a fortune of £12million through his Reggae Reggae sauce and his appearance on Dragon’s Den.
Dragon tamer: Levi Roots and his Reggae Reggae Sauce line with Peter Jones has brought him in at number eight
Here come the girls: Myleene Klass has many ventures that helped bank an £11 million fortune while Kimberley Walsh danced her way to number 11 with £6.8million
Cheeky chap: Paul Torrisi, a contestant in the first series of BBC’s The Apprentice, now presents his own property television show and sits firmly at number 20 on the list
Great talents pulled the weight in the world finance heirachy. I wish their wealths could xtends to the needy.