SIMON Cowell, the lead judge on the popular TV talent show X Factor, seems to attract a cross section of opinion. Some people like him, others cannot stand the sight of him.

And, according to the Daily Mirror, 42 year old mum-of-three Michelle Hall, from Houghton-le-Spring, Sunderland, definitely falls into the latter category.

A selection of headlines from stories in the news. They use English in a way that you might think is intended to confuse but it's all perfectly clear to the native speaker.