Hard-as-nails former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell has been nominated for an International Emmy Award.

Cowell, who quit "Idol" so he could concentrate on launching the U.S. version of the "X-Factor" next year, has received an Emmy nod for his television roles and the work he does for charities throughout the world.

He will attend the award ceremony at the Hilton Hotel later this year.

The ceremony will be hosted by Jason Priestley, better known as Brandon in the original Beverly Hills 90210.

39 nominees from 15 countries will be hoping to win an Emmy in 10 categories.

"Here's a guy who has really changed television," said Bruce L Paisner, president and CEO of the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.

"He has taken the form of the television talent show, reinvented and repositioned it, and made it must-view television."