TV's Mr Nasty, Simon Cowell, took a trip down memory lane this week as he returned to his home town to be honoured with a plaque at Elstree Film & Television Studios.

The 46-year-old music mogul, who shot to fame with his hit shows, Pop Idol, X-Factor and American Idol, returned to Elstree, where he grew up, to receive the honour, also bestowed on film greats such as Elizabeth Taylor and Stanley Kubrick.

Arriving fashionably late, Simon was welcomed by six Star Wars Stormtroopers and his old friend and fellow music producer, Pete Waterman, who turned up as a surprise to unveil the plaque.

Simon lived with his parents in Barnet Lane and his first job was as a runner at the studios on the film, Return of the Saint, earning £16 a week.

The multi-millionaire, who now lives in Holland Park and Los Angeles, once hijacked a bus in Shenley Road when he was just 12 years old.

He put a pea gun to the bus driver's head and asked him to take him to Watford.

Thinking he was serious, the nervous driver drove straight to Watford where Simon was met by a barrage of police and taken to Scotland Yard for questioning.

His criminal past in Elstree was extended just years later when he joyrode a car at Elstree Studios, smashing it into a brick wall.

Welcoming the guests on Tuesday, including the mayor and mayoress, councillors, Stormtroopers and Dave Prowse, who played Darth Vader in the original Star Wars movie, organiser Paul Welsh said Simon was the first resident to receive the plaque. "He is also the first recipient who's been bounced on Betty Davis's knee and to have a talking doll," he said.

The brave lead singer of the Borehamwood Battle of the Bands winner Bently Priory, 24-year-old Rob Dodkin, then sang a song which he had composed specially for Simon.

His performance was followed by Borehamwood Community Choir, who sang a rendition of Frank Sinatra's My Way, with the lyrics appropriately changed to Si's Way, which received rapturous applause.

Simon said: "You guys were brilliant — why haven't any of you auditioned for the X-Factor?"

Introducing Simon, Pete Waterman said: "Simon and I go back a long way — since 1973.

"He followed me around like a dog for two years. He wouldn't leave me alone. He just wanted to learn.

"Recently, he has helped me through my difficulties and I'm so proud of him.

"This is an amazing location and some fantastic things have come out of Elstree and that includes you, Simon." Simon, who was casually dressed in jeans, replied: "Firstly, I'd like to apologise for the way I'm dressed today. I'm dreadfully embarrassed.

"I'm so grateful for what you've all done today. I'm honoured and very flattered. Growing up in Elstree was amazing — it was like having a slice of Hollywood on your doorstep. If there's one thing I was taught, it was you have to work hard to get where you want to be, and that's exactly what I did. This is amazing. I used to read the Borehamwood Times as a child."

When asked if he would consider resubscribing, he gave out his address without hesitating, adding: "If you're happy to deliver it, I'd love to."

We're happy to have you back on board as a Times reader, Mr Cowell.