AN X Factor legend has passed away aged 64 after working closely with Simon Cowell on the show for eight years.

Bodyguard Tony Adkins – known as Big Tony – died on Easter Sunday while on a rugby tour, a family member confirmed on social media.

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Sharing a photo of Tony, his cousin wrote: “It is with great sadness my family would like to announce that my Cousin Big Tony, Simon Cowell‘s ex bodyguard, passed away on Easter Sunday while on a Rugby Tour.

“He was a loveable Rogue and will be missed very much, RIP Big T.”

Hammersmith and Fulham RFC also paid tribute to Tony with a statement on its website.

It read: “It is with immense sadness that the club pays tribute to a true gent and great Hammer, Tony Adkins, who passed away whilst on tour with the Club in Poland on Easter Sunday.”

Viewers will remember dealing with upset contestants on The X Factor, often being forced to remove them from the audition room when things didn’t go their way.

After his time working for Simon and the show came to an end, he revealed what his former famous boss is really like.

He told the Mirror: “Simon was so laid-back and a very nice guy.

“He was generous, too. Whenever the show finished – and at Christmas – you’d get an envelope as a thank you. The last one I got had £700 stuffed in it.”

Tony continued: “He’s a very private person. He doesn’t give much away. You never see him drunk or out of control.

“Simon is vain – he does his hair all the time.

“If there are five breaks in filming then Simon will do his hair five times.”

He added: “And I think he has about 20 identical T-shirts. I remember once he had a hole in one, so he just reached into a bag and pulled out another from a big pile.”