Simon Cowell donates US$160,000 to sick child

TV's grumpiest guy Simon Cowell has forked out mega bucks to help save the life of a baby girl.

He donated US$160,000 to 18-month-old Sophie Atay from the United Kingdom, whose family had to raise US$800,000 to pay for treatments after learning she had a rare form of Neuroblastoma and needed treatment within days.

Last year's UK X Factor winner Alexandra Burke told Sophie's mum Karine about the donation over the phone.

“When I broke the news we were both crying - but I was crying more than Karine - she told me that she had been listening to my song Hallellujah on the way to the hospital," she said.

"I had told Simon about the situation and that there was no time to waste because Sophie needed treatment immediately -- and he decided to give the money in a second. Now, we are hopeful that Sophie will be on the flight to the U.S. today."

People all over the UK had already pledged money to Sophie's cause, but the family were $160K short until Simon made his pledge.