AMERICA’S Got Talent fans were caught off guard by judge Simon Cowell’s behavior during a recent episode.
The music mogul, 62, raised eyebrows during Tuesday’s America’s Got Talent during the program’s long-awaited return.
London-born Simon appeared to revert back to his Mr Nasty nickname as fans called out his conduct throughout the episode.
He returned to the AGT panel alongside Sofia Vergara, Heidi Klum and Howie Mandel.
Viewers believed the dad of one to be particularly “grumpy” when chatting to Debbii Dawson, as he demanded to know why her parents were not present for her audition.
He asked the LA singer if her relatives were here today, and she replied: “No they’re not – they couldn’t make it.”
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Simon interjected: “That’s not a good sign – if your parents don’ turn up, that’s not a good sign.”
The rest of the judging panel attempted to inject positive vibes, with Heidi Klum squealing: “Don’t listen to him!”
The crowd then booed as Simon continued: “Well it is. Would you say this is one of the most important nights of your life?”
Debii replied: “Definitely,” to which he bluntly said: “And they are not here.”
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One fan raged on Twitter: “Why Simon gotta be mean on someone whose parents are not present? Savage and uncalled for. And disrespectful. #AGT.”
A second put: “Simon is being grumpy 
#AGT”
Other fans flagged Simon’s nasty streak through the show, as another quipped: “Simon Cowell is especially an a** tonight! #AGT.”
Another added: “Simon seems to be in a shi*** mood tonight! 
More than usual #AGT.”
One then concluded: “Jesus Simon stop being a dick. #AGT.”
Yet Simon appeared to meet his match when co-star Heidi Klum shot him down during his feedback on one act later on.
It came after he made cruel comments about a fan-favorite singer.
During the final week of America’s Got Talent auditions, a contestant named Freckled Zelda wowed the audience and judges alike when she turned up dressed as a full-on fairy.
She had even bought along a “potato” flute and a pair of elf-ears to complete the look.
“I’m a music fairy,” she told the judges, who looked on curiously.
“Really?” asked a skeptical Simon.
However, once Freckled Zelda began to sing her cover of Colors of the Wind, she exceeded all the judges’ expectations with her powerful voice.
Simon was characteristically honest as he said: “I tell you what, when you walked out, I thought, ‘This really is going to be terrible,’ – I did.”
As the audience booed, he added: “But actually you’ve got a really good voice.
“I don’t like the instrument, don’t think it’s necessary. Carry on looking like that if you want, because you’re interesting.”
Heidi, 49, told Freckled Zelda: “You nailed that – I loved it.”
She appeared to disagree with Simon as she continued: “I thought the potato flute was really cool and you are unique and different.”
America’s Got Talent airs Tuesdays at 8/7 c on NBC.
