The Televised Joke That Forced Simon Cowell to Admit He "Should Never Do Live TV"

Simon Cowell has apologised after making a gay sex joke on TV.

The 57-year-old music mogul was participating in a Q&A session on Xtra Factor, a spin-off show of The X Factor in the UK, when he made the joke to gay TV presenter Rylan Clark-Neal, who was responsible for opening doors behind which fans could ask Simon a question.

During the segment, Rylan said: "I love a front door."

To which Simon quickly replied: "I thought you liked a back door."

The remark prompted gasps from the TV audience, but Rylan shot back: "Oh Simon! Shall I show you how much?"

Then, realising his mistake, Simon issued an apology for his comment:

Simon said: "I apologise. I shouldn't have said that. That's why I should never do live TV."

Rylan also downplayed the incident after the show, saying it was a "joke between friends".

nzherald.co.nz