Pop Idol's Mr Nasty, Simon Cowell, has agreed to be the star guest to open an event in the village near his mother's home.

Simon, who became infamous for his cruel comments to would-be pop stars on the ITV show, will open the St Margaret's Church Fayre in Rottingdean on May Bank Holiday Monday, May 6, part of the village's Renaissance Weekend.

The pop guru, who signed several top acts from the show, including Gareth Gates, now topping the charts with Unchained Melody, is a frequent visitor to the village. His mother Julie lives in nearby Ovingdean.

Simon, 42, is friendly with the vicar of Rottingdean, Father Martin Morgan, who is delighted Simon has agreed to perform the opening ceremony in the grounds of the 11th Century church.

Father Martin said: "Simon is a lovely man. He is not at all like his TV image. I am sure he will charm a lot of people when he opens our fair."

The four-day programme of events for the has been put together by the Rottingdean Trade and Business and Professional Association, which represents shops and businesses in the village. Chairman Harold Willimas said: "The weekend is back by popular demand and we are hoping it will be bigger and better than last year's event."

The celebrations take place between May 3 and May 6 and will include an early celebration of the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Events being organised include a family fun evening along High Street on May 3 when the road will be closed between 6pm and 9.30pm and shops and businesses will stay open late. It will be followed by a huge firework display on the seafront.

Saturday May 4 will be grown-ups' day with a car boot and table top sale in the lower High Street from 11am to 3pm and an antique fair at the village hall. A race night organised by the local Lions Club is being organised for the evening.

Sunday is being pencilled in as family sports day.

The following day will be children's day followed by St Margaret's fair in the church grounds which will include a puppet theatre performance and buskers on the village green.

There will be a Fifties fancy dress dance for adults in the village hall in the evening.

Profits from the weekend will go towards St Margaret's Church.