Simon Cowell reportedly believes his ill-fated engagement to Mezhgan Hussainy was a "big mistake".

The 52-year-old 'X Factor' boss popped the question to Mezhgan, 39, on Valentine's Day 2010 but soon went off the idea following a series of heated arguments.

He gave the make-up artist a ￡5million house as a parting gift, and admitted to being a "hopeless boyfriend", according to new unauthorised biography, 'Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life of Simon Cowell'.

He is said to have told friends: "I don't blame her. I'm attracted to crazy women. I encourage crazy behaviour and I make them crazy.

"I'm attracted to certain personalities who are difficult to control. So there are tantrums, tears and fights, which is all part of the drama. My life is really odd.

"Every girl wants to be number one and they're very territorial. I like the fight, because otherwise I'd have a dull group of girlfriends."

Things came to a head when Simon - whose exes include Sinitta and Terri Seymour - moved into a hotel after Mezghan stormed out of a family meal.

Confirming the split in January, he said: "It's quite a complicated relationship. We have had a break from each other, and we are still incredibly close.

"I'm vulnerable. It's not on, it's not off, it's somewhere in the middle. I don't know if I will ever get married, but I am happy."