Simon Cowell, the British music mogul, television king, and the former Mr Nasty of talent shows, is officially a 'star' in his own right. 

Simon received his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday and was obviously chuffed with the whole thing. 

Simon basked in the spotlight as he reflected on his career, which spans three decades, and his time  as a reality show judge, record producer and creator of long-running franchises "The X Factor," "America's Got Talent" and "Britain's Got Talent".

"If anyone says fame is a bad thing, I don't know what you're talking about. It's the best thing in the world,'' the 58-year-old said

Simon shot to mainstream fame in 2001 when he became a judge on one of the pioneering talent shows, Pop Idol, which gave Will Young and Gareth Gates their big breaks and gave birth to the shows we know and love like American Idol, The X Factor and Britain/America's Got Talent. 

He started his speech off with a typical Simon joke, ''why did this take so long? I’m kidding''

He went on to explain how he was a huge fan of America TV and movies growing up

''It is so surreal I cannot tell you. Lauren, you’ve been my rock for the past few years. Put up with everything I put up with, '' he addressed his girlfriend of five years and mother of his four-year-old son, Eric. 

''I was also thinking about today was who would have got a bigger kick out of this? My mom and dad. And they’re not here, but I have a feeling are looking down.''

His many protegees have been coming out with kind words as he accepts this honour.

He was accompanied by Kelly Clarkson, the first winner of American Idol.

She gushed about his talent for spotting authentic people with real talent. 

"He appreciates you being yourself, and that's very rare. In this industry I think people just want you to fit in to something," the Grammy-winning singer said.

He was joined at the unveiling by "America's Got Talent" judges Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Mel B, British "X Factor" winner Leona Lewis and One Direction's Louis Tomlinson. 

Congrats Si, you've earned it!