Difficult to think of a single example to quote because, let's face it, when doesn't he have a strop on? At least there's been very little water-chucking this year, but we've had countless examples of "shut up, Louis" and one memorable occasion when Simon stood up and held his hand over Sharon Osbourne's mouth so that he could carry on talking. A bittersweet moment that, I think you'll agree. On the one hand, we couldn't hear any more from Mrs. O, whereas on the other hand we had to carry on listening to Simon.

Click through for what I think was Mr. Cowell's best strop of the year.

For the most part, the entertainment of the X Factor comes not from the contestants but from the judges' antics. We hear they're all the best of mates behind the scenes and indeed Simon and Louis Walsh do a lot of business together. Just occasionally a crack shows in the matey facade and the best example of that this year was when Louis voted off Simon's act Ashley McKenzie.

Simon had great hopes for Ashley. He told Ben Sheppard that his biggest regret of the year was that Ashley didn't stay on the show longer. Up against Leona he almost certainly wouldn't have won, but keeping him on would have drastically changed the shape of the show. He even shouted out during the judges' vote "Louis you have to save Ashley."

But Louis was having none of it. He'd already saved Ashley once (the week he fluffed his lines) and there were to be no second chances. Simon was so surprised and disappointed that he left the studio immediately after the show, missing ITV2's Xtra Factor. No-one knew where he had gone, but his disappearance in such high dudgeon was reminiscent of Pete Waterman's rapid exit when Michelle McManus was voted the winner of Pop Idol. Only difference is, Simon came back!