Clifford upset at Cowell biography

Max Clifford said he was "disappointed" his client Simon Cowell co-operated with the writer of his unofficial biography.

The publicist said it had been a "massive own goal" to work on Tom Bower's book, which has revealed an affair with Dannii Minogue among other insights into his life.

Clifford suggested on ITV1's This Morning that there were dozens of unfavourable stories about Cowell which he has been keeping out of the public eye.

Bower's book Sweet Revenge is being published later this month but has been serialised by The Sun. As well as the revelation about Dannii, the paper has reported the Britain's Got Talent judge has handed over a £5 million home to his ex-fiancee for being a bad boyfriend and that he made unflattering comments about last year's X Factor winners Little Mix.

Clifford said of the book: "My advice was 'don't talk to Tom' because if you do people will think that you've worked with him on the book, as opposed to him coming out with a book and you saying 'well that's Tom's view of everything, but I've never spoken to him'."

Clifford continued: "The big problem I've had with this is because a lot of it is from Simon's own words, and this is a man who for 10 years I protected and always was desperately, desperately keen to have a private life and keep his private life very private.

"Of course I'm disappointed. We've had a close relationship for many, many years, I think the world of the guy.

Clifford said the revelations about Cowell's private life had meant a number of women were coming forward to make claims about relationships.

"Of course, it's open season now." he said.