Click here for 3am.co.uk's take on Simon Cowell backing the Conservatives

ITV chiefs are bracing themselves for a huge backlash after Britain's Got Talent judge Simon Cowell publicly backed the Tories.



The multi-millionaire used the pages of a downmarket right-wing newspaper to come out for David Cameron.



Cowell's decision provoked a storm of protest from BGT fans who blasted him for playing politics and backing a party who plan to slash and burn public services.



They accused him of "selling out" the fans who make his shows, the X Factor and Britain's Got Talent, such a success



Abigail Kirk, 25, from Somerset, said: "He's sold out the working class people who sit down to watch his shows every weekend.



Patricia Finn, from Leeds, said: "Simon Cowell has always said he wouldn't get involved in politics but he's gone against his word - and his viewers.



"He's desperate to be popular but this is a really bad call on his front. People will see through this as opportunism.



It also provoked a massive anti-Cowell campaign on Twitter.

One said: "What was it that attracted millionaire Simon Cowell to millionaire lovers, the Conservatives?"



Another said: "What a surprise, Cowell is backing the Tories. On the advice of his accountant, no doubt."



It is thought that Cowell, 50, was strong-armed into making the declaration after signing a megadeal with Rupert Murdoch's Fox TV in the US for X Factor.



"Simon got paid a lot of money by Murdoch," said an insider.

"There was a view that he owed them and such is Murdoch's desperation to get his boy Cameron into Downing Street that they forced Simon into it. It's backfired spectacularly for all concerned."



Now ITV bosses fear some viewers may boycott the Saturday night series which has been a ratings and advertising juggernaut.



One said: "There is a real concern that this will hit ratings. The golden rule of television is not to align yourself with one party or another. Not only does it turn off viewers, it turns off advertisers too."



Cameron had a meeting with Cowell last November in his parliamentary office after dining together the year before at Mayfair restaurant Cipriani.



After the last meeting, his spokeswoman furiously denied they were striking a deal, bleating: "This was a private meeting which was nothing to do with political alignment whatsoever and non-exclusive to the Conservatives. It was entirely charity related.

"Simon Cowell is not publicly aligned to any political party. Please do not draw him into these political issues."