Controversy and rumors sure like to swirl around you when you're a TV ratings powerhouse. In today's American Idol controversy, Simon Cowell is accused of planting a British pop star in this year's pool of contestants.

Tom Lowe wowed the judges at the Seattle auditions (see video here), earning a coveted golden ticket to Hollywood. Lowe told Simon, "I was at BMG Records in London at the same time that you were there."

As a member of the British boy band 'North and South', Lowe released a couple of singles. He reportedly split with the label in 1998.