Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell

David Walliams saved Simon Cowell from choking on a mint.

The 54-year-old media mogul caused panic when he began coughing and spluttering after the hard candy became lodged in his throat during the 'Britain's Got Talent' auditions in Birmingham last weekend, forcing fellow judge David to rescue him by performing the Heimlich manoeuvre.

An onlooker told The Sun newspaper: "In between watching auditions, Simon was enjoying a mint - when all of a sudden it must have got lodged in his throat. As soon as David noticed Simon was in trouble he leapt up from his chair."

It's thought Amanda Holden tried to relieve the mint by patting him on the back before David performed the manoeuvre - which involves grabbing the person from behind and applying force underneath the ribcage in a bid to expel any object trapped in the throat - much to Simon's displeasure.

The source added: "[David] put his all into giving [Simon] the Heimlich manoeuvre, but seemed to enjoy it a little too much. Simon on the other hand looked uneasy - although he was grateful to David for helping him out."

All the judges, Simon, David, Amanda and Alicia Dixon are set to return to television screens when 'Britain's Got Talent' airs on ITV later this spring.