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One of television's most recognisable judges has been praised for his ability to remember contestants long after their time on his shows. Music mogul Simon Cowell has appeared on some of the biggest shows in the UK, serving on the judging panels of Pop Idol and The X Factor, and continuing to appear on Britain's Got Talent.

Jake Quickenden, 37, who appeared on The X Factor in both 2012 and 2014, recalled how Simon offered repeated praise for his career success after leaving the show and noted that this is something he has no obligation to do, but does nonetheless. Reflecting on his time on The X Factor, Jake told the Daily Express: "Simon Cowell was lovely. Whenever I've seen him at any event, he still knows who I am. He remembers my name, which I guess you'd expect, but it's also Simon Cowell.

"He wasn't my mentor so he didn't need to know who I was after I got voted out, he didn't need to follow what I'd done. He's said to me numerous times that I've done so well and it's wicked."

He described Cheryl as "lovely" and his mentor Mel B as "amazing", adding with a laugh: "Louis is just Louis isn't he."

Jake made it to judges houses in 2012, but was not picked for the live shows by Nicola Scherzinger. That year, she opted to take James Arthur, who won it, runner-up Jahméne Douglas and Rylan Clark.

Despite missing out on a place in the live shows that year, Jake returned two years later and made it through.

He looks back on that time with fond memories, acknowledging that if he had got through the first year, things may have turned out differently for him.

He said: "For me, everything happens for a reason. If I got through that year then I might not have ended up in the jungle, I might not be where I am now, I might not have my kids, you never know.

"At the time I was obviously gutted but Rylan deserved it. It's a talent contest but it's also an entertainment contest and he was amazing. He's got well far as well, he did amazing and he's also such a nice bloke. I love Rylan so there's no hard feelings whatsoever towards that.

"Also it was a good story for me to go back and make it through. It didn't last very long but at least I got to go in the jungle!"

Jake appeared on I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! just weeks after he was eliminated from The X Factor during week three and went on to finish in second place behind Carl Fogarty.