Cowell tops 'TV villain' survey

Cowell's American Idol role earned him 39% of the vote for best villain

American Idol judge Simon Cowell has been crowned the favourite reality TV villain in the United States in a poll of AOL website users.

Cowell's co-host Paula Abdul was named the worst reality TV judge, while their programme took the title of best reality show on US TV.

Dating show Flavor of Love was voted worst reality programme, as well as the show viewers would least like to go on.

More than 1.3 million people took part in the poll earlier this month.

American Idol also earned the "hottest hook-up" title for the romance between this year's winner, David Cook, and former contestant Kimberly Caldwell.

But despite being the most popular show, only 14% of voters thought they would want to take part in it.

'Scariest' star

The worst host was judged to be Samantha Harris for Dancing with the Stars, the US version of Strictly Come Dancing.

Forty-three per cent thought that ABC's The Bachelor was past its sell-by date, winning the "show that's so over" category after 12 series.

Rapper Flavor Flav, who fronts Flavor of Love, was also named the scariest star. His VH1 show ran for three series before ending its run in May.

The show most voters wanted to take part in was The Amazing Race, in which teams compete in a round-the-world race, pitted with challenges along the way.

Former tabloid editor Piers Morgan claimed the award for best fight for his appearance with Omarosa Manigault-Stallworth on Celebrity Apprentice.