Cowell has judged both the UK and US versions of Pop Idol

Music executive Simon Cowell, best know for his acerbic comments as a judge on Pop Idol, is to make a guest appearance on The Simpsons.

Cowell, who has judged on both the UK and US versions of the show, will play a nursery school admissions officer who insults toddler applicants.

Simpsons executive producer Al Jean said he thought the talent show judge would make a "hilarious" guest.

"We're talking about a story where the Simpsons are having trouble getting Maggie, the baby, into nursery school.

"And we thought it would be funny if he played the nursery school admissions officer," he told TV Times.

Jean said Cowell had become a major star since appearing on the first series of the US version of Pop Idol, American Idol, last year.

"Simon's very popular in the US. There's a history in American television of people we love to hate - fun villains, such as JR Ewing in Dallas - and Simon's a similar sort of character."

Famous trousers

"But overall, I'd say he's liked rather than loathed," he added.

Cowell's cartoon likeness may also feature the famous high, belted trousers that became one of his hallmarks as a Pop Idol judge.

The Simpsons continues to be a massive US hit

"Simon has criticised other people's appearances on his show, so I think he should be open to that himself," Jean said.

Cowell reduced many hopeful pop stars on the Pop Idol shows to tears.

As well as appearing on American Idol Cowell also wrote a manual on how to succeed as a pop star last year.

He is the latest in a long line of celebrities to appear on The Simpsons.

Prime Minister Tony Blair is making an appearance in the new series of the animated show, recording his lines during the war with Iraq.

Other household names to have appeared as themselves in the show include U2, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Leonard Nimoy, Mel Gibson and Sting.