Simon Cowell would rather "drop dead" working than retire.

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell

The 57-year-old star - who has three-year-old son Eric with Lauren Silverman - is keen to work into his 80s or 90s because it upsets him to think he could one day fill his days by playing golf.

He said: "I'd rather drop dead at my job than retire. The idea of just playing golf makes me want to jump off a bridge. I'm going to work in my 80s or 90s if I can."

Simon is clearly expecting to live a long life and always has some vegetables on hand if he requires a snack.

He said: "Once you eat enough vegetables you start to crave them. That's why I keep carrots on my desk."

Before becoming a big-time music mogul, the 'X Factor' boss worked as an estate agent in London's Mayfair but he "hated" the job and the company.

He is quoted by the Daily Star newspaper as saying: "I was an estate agent for eight months and it was the most miserable time of my life.

"I worked for this really snotty company who hated me - and I hated them."

Simon has previously revealed his mum told him his estate agent job was making him "depressed".

He said: "I was so upset that my mum actually said to me 'I've never seen you so depressed.'

"And luckily I was offered a job back at the music publishing company. I'm glad I tried it because it was horrible."