Victoria Beckham can't get over how short Simon Cowell is. The former Spice Girls singer loves mocking her music mogul pal about his small stature - he stands at 5ft 8in - but admits he hates the jibes. She is quoted by gossip website Absolute Now as saying: "I am always surprised at how short Simon is. I have known him for a while but it still always shocks me. We have to call it vertically challenged so he doesn't get too self-conscious." 

This is not the only time the 35-year-old singer-turned-fashion designer has criticized Simon. The pair worked together last year, when Victoria appeared as a guest judge on 'American Idol' - in an episode which aired last night (12.01.10). During the show, the pair disagreed over one of the contestants.

Simon told the auditioning singer: "Good, but boring... I just found it very, very dull." Victoria disagreed: "See, I didn't find you boring at all." When the businessman sighed, she scolded him: "Why do you do that? That thing where you roll your eyes. It takes so much nerve to stand there and do that audition!" Despite their on-screen row, Victoria was thrilled for the chance to appear on the talent show. 

She said: "For me, I just love the fact that I could dip in and dip out. It was great... I saw so much talent, and to be a part of making someone's dream come true was exciting for me. "So even if someone was really not that great, they might have a great pair of shoes on that I really appreciated. I can find something good to say about most people." Photo: Fame Pictures