SIMON COWELL is one of the most powerful figures in the showbiz world.
He can make or break careers through shows like Britain’s Got Talent, and millions of children around the country hang on his every word.
Simon Cowell is an influential figure and his comments on children’s homework were irresponsibleGetty
My son is just six but idolises him and regularly parrots, in exaggerated tones: “I don’t just like it . . . I love it.”
So I am shocked by how irresponsible Simon has been by saying there should be a total ban on school homework.
Now his legion of little fans around the country will be using the excuse to their parents that they “don’t just dislike homework . . . they hate it”. And then they won’t bother.
Simon made his ill-judged comments during a breezy chat on This Morning, claiming our youngsters would be happier and less stressed if they didn’t have to do “two hours” homework after a day at school.
I get that two hours seems utterly excessive for any young mind after a long day but banning it altogether would be madness.
Simon, who is dad to 11-year-old Eric, said that “schools put too much pressure on kids” when they are “ten, 11, 12” adding: “I would say to any teacher watching, ban homework. You’ll have happier kids and they’ll do better.”
Most teachers probably weren’t watching daytime TV though, because they were up to their ears in Britain’s classrooms, battling the gruelling daily grind of educating our kids.
I can only imagine what they will have said when they heard his daft remarks — I’m sure that they rolled their eyes in exasperation.
They would be disappointed that such a role model could attempt to cause them such a headache.
I admire Simon. He works with children’s charities. He has helped so many people achieve their goals.
But he seems to have somehow forgotten just how powerful his voice is.
And talking about bans is unfair — both to struggling parents who want their kids to excel and those hard-working teachers at the coalface of the nation’s education.
Simon has said that he didn’t actually stress about homework when he was younger because he would “just throw it away”.
Reap the rewards when they succeed
But in today’s competitive world our kids are not only competing against each other in the jobs market but also against rapidly developing AI and smart-arsed robots too.
So they must absorb the key skills homework gives them.
It cements what they learn in the classroom, teaches them to study on their own and to concentrate independently; instead of returning home and just scrolling on their phones.
Simon’s comments neglect how useful homework can be to children’s developmentGetty
It also encourages them to be self- starters and to reap the rewards when they succeed — just as all those dancers, jugglers, singers and musicians have done when they stand up on that stage in front of Simon and his panel.
Homework is there to help teachers determine how well their lessons are understood, to teach kids to problem- solve and develop skills such as time management and self-discipline.
It shows parents what their kids are learning.
It prepares children for important tests and exams — and for tasks and challenges they will face after school.
If they have a rounded schooling now they will one day be able to show off their own talents to the world.
And they will look back and realise that education can be a real-life golden buzzer.
Dales switch is daft
YOU can tell that ITV’s former Head of Daytime Peter Fincham is a southerner.
He thinks Yorkshire-based Emmerdale could soon move to Manchester and be filmed alongside Corrie.
Peter, as a Northerner, let me put this in simple terms for you, lad – that’s like suggesting Arsenal players share changing rooms with Chelsea just across London at Stamford Bridge.
Things might be tough at ITV, but there is a limit.
CHANGING a winning formula can be a risky business.
But to mark the 100th anniversary celebrations of Chocolate Digestives, McVitie’s has announced it’s launching a limited-edition Pink Digestives Raspberry & Cream flavour.
Stuff the calories – I can’t wait to try these bad boys.
Becks dream
David Beckham’s comments that he reads every word of Country Life might raise some eyebrowsInstagram
DAVID BECKHAM is guest editing Country Life because he says he has read “every issue from cover to cover”.
I suspect he arranges the glossy mags very neatly on a designer coffee table, but as for reading every word?
I hate to accuse Sir David of telling a few porkies . . . but if the flat cap fits.
Tattoo much…
Jon Collyer is one of three Brits accused of smuggling cocaine into BaliEPA
IF ever there was an advert to show why you should NEVER have dodgy DIY prison-style facial tattoos, Jon Collyer, above, is it.
He is one of the three Brits accused of smuggling cocaine in Angel Delight powder, who were then arrested at Bali International Airport and are now facing the death penalty.
Those ridiculous tattoos, that somehow make him look as though he’s spent half his life in prison, certainly won’t help him plead his innocence.
Have them where you can hide them, or better still, just say no, kids.
Lily pulls rank on her pals
Lily Allen has organised her friends into rankings of how much she likes themGetty
SO Lily Allen says she has created a list of friends who she ranks in order of how much she likes them, while her “assistant” schedules FaceTimes so they can catch up.
At first this may seem ridiculous, but actually you’ve got to praise her for being so organised and for making the effort to keep in touch when so many of us with busy lives don’t.
I do feel sorry for those of Lily’s “friends” who haven’t heard from her in a while, though – because they will now realise she’s not just busy . . . they’re actually at the bottom of the list.
Fear in Cornwall over the opening of a new Greggs might be a little misplacedGetty
THE Cornish Pasty Association have got their crusty bits in a right twist over the fact a seventh Greggs outlet is opening up in Cornwall.
They spat: “Greggs does not make products in Cornwall and therefore do not sell the genuine Cornish pasties our members make.”
Which seems a bit ridiculous.
We all know fans go to Greggs for the sausage rolls.
The Newcastle company hasn’t even sold anything vaguely resembling a traditional Cornish pasty for years.
KAREN MILLEN should stick to designing clothes.
She has been forced to make a grovelling apology for her ridiculous comments criticising mums who breastfeed their children beyond six months, calling it “selfish” and “not normal”.
What isn’t normal in this day and age is bad-mouthing other women for parenting choices.
Unless they are harming their kids, surely it should be a case of each to their own.
Bezos is £10m in wed
EVERYONE loves a good wedding, don’t they.
Despite the residents of Venice grumbling about Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez’s upcoming days of nuptials, I can’t wait to see all the photos.
The couple have just scaled it back and are now just spending a mere £10million on the three-day event.
So, we are about to find out exactly how you manage to burn through more than £3 million A DAY.
Yes, the extravagance is stomach-churning, but let’s face it – who will be able to resist?
HAPPY Father’s Day to all the dads – and father figures – out there.
The Geordie included, who sadly hasn’t got his Moonpig card today because they failed to send it.
I did get an apologetic email and a credit back for the postage. What customer service.
Nothing says “I love you” more than a happy belated Father’s Day card, does it?
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