ALTON Towers has drafted in Simon Cowell's former bodyguard to keep its new £15 million roller-coaster a secret.

Tony Adkins, Simon Cowell's minder of six years, has been hired to keep out trespassers following an attempted break-in by a roller-coaster nut.

Otherwise known as X Factor's Big Tony, the former bodyguard to Princess Anne, Iron Maiden and Boy George will act as a security consultant on the equivalent of a six-figure salary.

He said: "There are many roller-coaster fans desperate to find out why this new ride is unique and will stop at nothing until they find out."