Simon Cowell offers £10,000 reward to re-unite a young boy with his stolen pet dog in time for Christmas.
Simon stepped in after being touched by the story of Edward Latter's note to Santa asking for the safe return of his dog Morse.
After reading of the family's plight, Simon has pledged to give £10,000 to anyone who can help reunite Morse with its owners.
Edward, who turns three on Saturday, was left devastated when the nine-month old border terrier escaped the family home before being snatched by thieves.
He wrote a note to Santa in Lapland saying, 'Dear Father Christmas. 'I just want one present for Christmas this year, my dog Morse back.
'I've been a very good boy all year. Thank you, Edward aged two and three quarters'.
The reward money was initially offered anonymously but a spokesman today confirmed that Simon was behind the gesture.
Edward's dad, Richard, said "It's unbelievable. It is really, really, generous, It is so good of him.
After I found out I put the phone down and had to stop for a couple of minutes to take it all in."I can't believe the generosity of it. I am forever in his debt and I literally had tears rolling down my face."
