Victoria Beckham says Simon Cowell is 'vertically challenged'

Victoria Beckham can't get over how short Simon Cowell is.

The former Spice Girls singer loves mocking her music mogul pal about his small stature – he stands at 5ft 8in - but admits he hates the jibes.

She is quoted by gossip website Absolute Now as saying: "I am always surprised at how short Simon is. I have known him for a while but it still always shocks me. We have to call it vertically challenged so he doesn't get too self-conscious."

This is not the only time the 35-year-old singer-turned-fashion designer has criticised Simon.

The pair worked together last year, when Victoria appeared as a guest judge on 'American Idol' – in an episode which aired last night (12.01.10).

During the show, the pair disagreed over one of the contestants.

Simon told the auditioning singer: "Good, but boring... I just found it very, very dull."

Victoria disagreed: "See, I didn't find you boring at all."

When the businessman sighed, she scolded him: "Why do you do that? That thing where you roll your eyes. It takes so much nerve to stand there and do that audition!"

Despite their on-screen row, Victoria was thrilled for the chance to appear on the talent show.

She said: "For me, I just love the fact that I could dip in and dip out. It was great... I saw so much talent, and to be a part of making someone's dream come true was exciting for me.

"So even if someone was really not that great, they might have a great pair of shoes on that I really appreciated. I can find something good to say about most people."