Cele|bitchy | Simon Cowell makes a reference to Ryan Seacrest’s gayness on live TV!

On American Idol Tuesday night Simon Cowell told Ryan Seacrest to “lose the beard” in a veiled reference to his sham publicity relationship to Teri Hatcher. He got away with it because Seacrest had new facial hair, but he clearly was referring to Hatcher:

Ryan Seacrest told Simon Cowell, “And if you read the dictionary, you’d know what ‘constructive’ means.” To which Cowell replied, “Ryan, with respect, I’m not the one trying to look like someone out of ‘Desperate Housewives.’ Lose the beard.” While Seacrest was sporting a beard, the jab was more at how Seacrest, a confirmed bachelor, had himself photographed kissing “Housewives” star Teri Hatcher. Hatcher, a press hound herself, has since said the two are not dating.

Cowell should not be picking on Seacrest. While Seacrest may be trying to hide his gayness, he’s not hurting anyone. Cowell is jeopardizing his current relationship and taking advantage of a young contestant. His constant flirting with 19 year-old Idol contestant Kellie Pickler has royally pissed off his long-term girlfriend, TV presenter Terri Seymour:

Cowell’s appreciation of this season’s pretty blonde, 19-year-old Kellie Pickler, has apparently carried on off-screen – much to Seymour’s annoyance.

The flirting has even sparked furious rows between the couple.

An insider told The Daily Mirror: ‘He is really affectionate to Kellie… They are often seen having intimate chats in the corner.’

On the show, Cowell had praised Pickler several times by calling her ‘cute’ and ‘a naughty little minx’.

Seymour, 31, apparently told a pal: ‘Simon knows I’m annoyed and insists it’s just ‘fun and games’ that makes for better television. But I see how his face gets flushed when Kellie’s around.’

Last nights results show saw Mandisa, Paris, and Elliot in the bottom three, with Mandisa leaving for good.

Here are pictures from American Idol this week, including a visit from The O.C.’s Rachel Bilson and comedian Chris Rock and his family.

10 more after the jump.