The star was using the hotel to audition members of the public for his forthcoming U.K.-based reality TV contest Britain's Got Talent. It is now feared Cowell, and his fellow judges, journalist Piers Morgan and actress Amanda Holden, were the target of an underground betting ring trying to glean information about possible winners through their private conversations.

Cowell says, "I am absolutely shocked that someone tried to bug me. It is incredible the lengths some people will go to to try and get inside information about myself and the other judges. - more on this story

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