Simon Cowell recently surprised the ‘American Idol’ staff by showering them with expensive gifts stuffed with cash. Cowell, who is known for his ill temper, pleasantly surprised behind-the-camera crew on the last day of filming for his final series of the show.

The music mogul gifted them expensive wallets and handbags packed with cash. “The men got expensive wallets, the women got designer handbags. And tucked away inside was 500 pounds,” the Daily Star quoted a show insider as saying.

Hairstylist, make-up artistes, fashion stylist and camera crew all were amazed and touched by their boss’s gesture. “Simon Cowell likes people to think he’s a nasty guy, but deep down he knows how much work they all do,” another insider said. The source added: “He wanted them to know he has valued their contributions.”