* YOU BEEN SNAP* Christmas drinks are on Cowell! X Factor judge Simon rakes in £28million in one year, as the US version is granted second series"

*MKILETEWA HAPA NA MISS FB*

As all eyes fall on the wealthy future of X Factor USA protégé Melanie Amaro, it's easy to forget Simon Cowell is still busy raking it in too.

The Syco boss is believed to have raked in a whopping £28million over the last year, elevating the mega rich star further up the ranks of wealth.

His fortune now sits at £200million; having reclaimed the rights to X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent in a massive deal with Sony BMG this year.

Feeling smug: Simon Cowell is not only celebrating taking X Factor to America, but also raking in £28million in one year;

Second series on its way: Melanie Amaro won the first series of X Factor USA this week;

'Advertisers have been impressed with the constantly good ratings and the audience will only grow, as will Simon’s pay packet.'

Simon risked his television notoriety on X Factor UK and American Idol by quitting both shows to take a seat on the new judging panel alongside L.A. Reid, Nicole Scherzinger and Paula Abdul - and the results have paid off.

Protégé: After Melanie won the show, Simon was granted a second series;