We all know Britney is popular and Miley Mania is everywhere, but British children are most impressed with snide “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell than they are with the Queen of England or God, according to an annual survey of 1,600 children under the age of ten by the non-profit Luton First. When asked who they considered to be the most famous person in the world, these pre-tweens said emphatically that it was Simon Cowell, followed by God and then Queen Elizabeth. God also came in second place last year, but that time it was to Her Royal Highness and not a reality/talent show judge.
While I can’t imagine what such news might do to Cowell’s already oversized ego, I think the survey itself has far more significant insights than Cowell’s ranking in the universe.

Giving a glimpse into the skewed and fracture nature of the next generation, the survey listed “being fat” as the worst thing in the world and that if they could ban anything in the world t would be “divorce” with bullying also becoming an increasing concern, moving from fifth place to third.
Patricia Murchie, a researcher at Luton First, said it best: “It seems clear that many pre-teens are more concerned than ever with their looks and weight–possibly reflecting media images of glamour, and new educational initiatives in nutrition and healthy eating.”