Simon Fuller, who created "Pop Idol:", is the most successful British music manager of all time, according to a major US magazine. It placed him ahead of other British managers including Peter Grant (Led Zeppelin, Bad Company), who was second, and Beatles manager Brian Epstein who was in third place. Steve O'Rourke of Pink Floyd fame and Genesis manager Tony Smitu completed the British list..

Meanwhile Colonel Tom Parker, the manager of Elvis Presley, topped the global list ahead of Irvin Azoff (Eagles, Stevie Nicks) and Simon Fuller.

The Pop Idol creator's acts have sold 116 million units in the US alone, Billboard said. The music mogul has managed The Spice Girls, David Beckham, Annie Lennox, and many more. The magazine said he was responsible for more than 500 number one singles globally, and more than 240 No 1 albums.