Police rebuff Cowell over 'fixing' claim

Police sources indicated that there may not be a formal investigation into a complaint from Simon Cowell against an anonymous blogger who alleged that Ronan Parke, a 12-year-old boy contesting this evening's Britain's Got Talent television final, already had a management deal with Cowell's company Syco and had been moulded to appeal to the audience – something Cowell denies.

Cowell's lawyers have alleged "malicious communication", a criminal offence that carries a fine of up to £5,000 or up to six months in jail.

Ronan said yesterday: "I have never met Simon in my life... It's really silly."