X Factor supremo Simon Cowell was said to be overcome with jealousy after X Factor UK judge Gary Barlow was awarded an OBE for organising a concert to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee this year.
It is believed that the media mogul's alleged jealousy came from failing to be the recipient of an OBE despite trying numerous times, according to the Metro.
Quoting excerpts of some new chapters of his book, Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life Of Simon Cowell, the site reports Tom Bower claiming that Simon was less than happy about Gary's prestigious accolade:
"The announcement that Barlow would receive an OBE for arranging the [Diamond Jubilee concert] added to his irritation.
"He chased that madly to get three initials after his name."
Gary Barlow is happy with his OBE, but Simon Cowell isn't! (WENN)
Suggesting that the media mogul sent not so nice messages about Gary after becoming annoyed with ITV's decision to rehire the Take That frontman again for the X Factor, Bower added:
"The ambitions of Barlow, he believed, were comical,' claims Bower in the biography.
"Ever since Barlow had clawed his way back after a disastrous attempt to become a solo star, Cowell was niggled by his conviction that Barlow was bidding to establish a rival entertainment empire and, like [Sir] Paul McCartney, secure a knighthood.
''He enjoyed snubbing the man who foolishly asserted that he was the top judge, not Louis Walsh, by texting his criticism about Barlow to others.
Surely not!
A rep for Simon has been contacted for comment.
Simon Cowell poses with the X Factor USA judges
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