Cowell will appear at the television festival on 28 August

Cowell, who has a highly successful record label and recently set up his own television company, will deliver the Richard Dunn Memorial Interview.

He is expected to give his views on the television industry and his performance in American Idol, and outline his personal business vision.

Cowell said: "I must be insane to have agreed to do this."

The Edinburgh International Television Festival takes place from 27 to 29 August. The Richard Dunn Memorial Interview will take place on 28 August.

Murray Boland, festival advisory chair and Head of Programmes at E4, said: "We are delighted to confirm Simon Cowell's appearance at Edinburgh.

"His runaway success with Pop Idol, his experience working in the US and track record as an executive will make this a must-see event."

'Refreshing'

His runaway success with Pop Idol, his experience working in the US and track record as an executive will make this a must-see event Murray Boland, E4

Cowell began his career at EMI, where he worked in the mailroom.

He now runs the hugely successful S Records, through BMG, which has notched up almost 100 million records sales and 35 number one singles.

He hit UK television screens in 2001 as a judge on Pop Idol and has been the driving force behind the huge success of American Idol.

Last year he launched his own independent television company, Syco. Together with Talkback Thames, he will be producing a new talent show called The X Factor, to be shown on ITV1 in the autumn.

Peter Fincham, CEO of Talkback Thames, who sponsor the Richard Dunn Memorial Interview said: "[Simon] has always got plenty to say and I'm sure his perspective on the industry will be an interesting and refreshing one."

The inaugural Richard Dunn Memorial Interview took place in 1999 in memory of the former Chief Executive of Thames Television.

Previous speakers have included Greg Dyke and Chris Evans.