Simon Cowell has the ex-factor - his former lover has moved in next door.

The music mogul, famed for staying pals with his old flames, now lives within yards of former Page Three girl Jackie St Clair, who he dated more than 40 years ago. The Britain's Got Talent judge, engaged to long term partner Lauren Silverman, now finds himself sharing one of the poshest parts of the Cotswolds with ex-glamour girl Jackie.

Last night a local said: "Jackie has snapped up a place that backs on to Simon's. If Simon looks out of his kitchen window he can see Jackie, and vice versa. She's married well and her house is larger than his so there's definitely some one-upmanship going on."

Simon, 66, and Jackie shared a whirlwind romance in the 1970s and stayed pals after they split, including holidaying together. It's not the first time the exes have lived close by, with their previous pads in London's Holland Park sitting a stones throw apart.

But Jackie's latest move will likely cause a stir, as she was reportedly embroiled in a bitter feud with Simon's close friend and ex, Sinitta. The 62-year-old reportedly accused Jackie of "evil lying" in 2010 over gossip around the status of Simon's engagement to then girlfriend, Mezhgan Hussainy. She said at the time: "Jackie St Clair, you are the source of all lies and wrong info. I'm sorry after 25 years you still won't stop harassing and bullying."

Things reportedly erupted again in 2023 when Sinitta was turned away by security at Jackie's house after arriving for a party with her dog, who was not welcome. An insider said: "It was incredibly awkward for everyone around them as Sinitta didn't appear to know it was the kind of party you couldn't bring your pooch too. She had barely made it over the threshold when the security hired to oversee Jackie's party made it clear that Sinitta was welcome but Scarlett was not."

Simon moved to the Cotswolds in 2021, joining a string of other celebrities from the Beckhams to US talk show host Ellen DeGeneres. News of Jackie's move comes after Simon submitted plans to build a party barn in the grounds of his Grade-II listed country pile. The new extension is described as "minor in scale" by building agents but covers 793sq ft, roughly the size of an average new-build house in the UK.

Simon Cowell's ex is too close for comfort as she moves in next door to his Cotswolds mansion - The Mirror