Simon Cowell's brother has described him as a ''fighter'' following the death of their mother.

Tony Cowell said he feels for his brother having to ''live out his grief in the glare of the spotlight'', but has praised him for his words of comfort after their mother Julie died aged 89 earlier this month.

Tony told Britain's Best magazine: ''Today, I feel for all my family, including Simon, who must live out his grief in the glare of the spotlight. That's not easy, but the Simon I know and love will come through. Like Mum, he's a fighter - he never gives up.''

The music mogul's sibling also revealed the kind words he spoke after they received the tragic news.

Tony added: ''As Simon said the night she died, 'Mum is at peace now. We will never forget her and how much she loved us'.''

And he also revealed that both he and Simon knew Julie didn't have long left after she suffered a stroke last year.

He shared: ''No matter what age you are, it's devastating when you lose your mother. From the moment our mum, Julie, suffered her first stroke in October last year, it was clear she was unlikely to recover.

''She was 89, frail and had quickly slipped into unconsciousness. To see her in hospital was heartbreaking. She didn't know who we were, and she never really woke up again. When I got that phone call to say she had died, I felt an immediate sense of relief - we all did, as we wanted her to go with some dignity.''