August 13, 2007

By By Lars Brandle, London

Simon Cowell, the self-styled TV talent-show tough-guy, is in the news again for his ruthless behavior. But this time, Cowell has been blamed for picking on a six-year-old.

A string of reports are turning the screw on Cowell and his label Sony BMG for reneging on a vow to deliver youngster Connie Talbot a record deal. Talbot had shone so brightly on TV talent quest "Britain's Got Talent" that Cowell described her talent as "pure magic."

Cowell's imprint Syco Music and Sony BMG have the rights to pick up contestants for recording deals.

However, Talbot's performance of "Somewhere over the Rainbow" did not have a fairytale ending. Syco and Sony BMG ultimately declined to sign the potential star because, they claim, she was too young.

"There was some deliberation over the possibility of recording with Connie," Sony BMG says in a statement. "However the decision not to proceed was made with the best intentions for Connie, taking into consideration her age and that it would not be right to do so at this time."

Classical crossover artist Paul Potts went on to win the TV series. His debut album "One Chance," released through Cowell's Syco Music imprint, spent three weeks at No. 1 on the Official U.K. Albums chart.

Subscribe to Billboard magazine today!