London, July 1 (Inditop.com) “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell can earn up to a staggering 144 million pounds ($237 million) from the next series of the show.

Cowell is negotiating a deal with the US network Fox and has been offered four times the 36 million pounds he made last year, dailymail.co.uk reports.

The show just finished its eighth season and attracted an audience of 25 million. Cowell is also reportedly being advised by Topshop magnate Sir Philip Green.

A source close to Green said: “He is past the old-style music deal, where you take a cut as a performer. This is about properly owning himself, Brand Cowell, everything he does, new formats, and new programmes, not just the ones starring him.

“Simon is very, very careful, he thinks everything through, and he’s been pondering his next steps for a long time. Cowell really respects and looks up to Green. He’s a sort of father figure to him.”