He may like to come across as TV's Mr Mean but Simon Cowell showed his softer side at X Factor auditions in Glasgow recently.

When a female auditionee realised she'd lost her purse, a big-hearted Cowell handed over a wad of his own cash to help the panicked woman out.

After nobody found the purse when he ordered a tannoy call-out in the Scottish venue, Cowell stepped in with his own cash and gave a show compere the money to give to the distressed woman.

A show insider told The Sun: "The compere told the lady he had something to give her from Simon.

"He handed her a wad of notes and she looked very happy."

We're sure Simon can afford to be generous - he recently signed a huge £100 million deal to continue fronting American Idol. Take a look at some other large celeb salaries...