London, Nov 15 Simon Cowell has started eating his favourite childhood pudding, Angel Delight, as he struggles to cope with the criticism over his treatment of Irish twins John and Edward on the X Factor, according to best pal Sinitta.

Sinitta - who used to date Cowell and works as a mentor to contestants on the show - said Simon had been deeply affected by the row over the twins.

"He has a two-packet-a-day problem or habit - it's his comfort food," the Mirror quoted mum-of-two Sinitta, 41, as saying.

"He walks round with a packet of cigarettes and a packet of Angel Delight. He will have a bowl of pink Angel Delight at home or even in the back of a limo.

"It's very 80s and he's an 80s child," she added.

Sinitta said that in particular, Simon has taken to heart the blacklash over Jedward and the latest reject Lucie Jones.

"He does care, he does listen. But if he did make a mistake, cut him some slack. He realises people are disturbed by the result," Sinitta said.

"He listens to the voters, even if it's not always his taste. But it doesn't mean he sits at home listening to John and Edward.

"It was a shock when John and Edward stayed. But I think they sing as well as a lot of people out there sing," she added. (ANI)