Trending: Hitler pips Simon Cowell to title of most recognisable face

Simon Cowell has risen to fame by cultivating the image of “Mr Nasty” and “most recognisable face” (PA)

Simon Cowell has risen to fame by cultivating the image of "Mr Nasty" as he tramples on the dreams of prospective performers from both sides of the Atlantic. Yet, he was beaten to the title of "most recognisable face" in history, according to a new survey, by Adolf Hitler. The pollsters showed a series of pictures of famous figures throughout history to 1,000 adults in the UK and of those 943 named The X Factor supremo. The Nazi dictator was recognised by 944. The 52-year-old head of Syco Music, right, made his name as an acerbic judge on his shows Pop Idol, The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, has recently talked of softening his image, fearing that audiences were being turned off by the robust criticism. Lady Gaga may have millions of fans, yet she performed poorly. She was recognised by 705 people, putting her below historical figures Henry VIII, Queen Victoria and Margaret Thatcher.