Simon Cowell returned to Britain's Got Talent and immediately left the show's live audience and fellow judge David Walliams gobsmacked as he failed to identify this St George's Cross flag.
The music mogul, 62, has lived stateside for the last two years but failed to recognise the flag of his home country when questioned by a five-year-old.
The youngster called Charles was showcasing his vast knowledge of national flags when Simon was challenged to a showdown.
As Simon was shown the English flag, The Sun reports he quickly responded: "Oh, I know that — it’s Switzerland," much to the disbelief of the comedian Williams, 50.
The Little Britain star gasped and yelled: "You idiot. What country are we in now? England."
The incident left the audience at the London Palladium in stitches.
The Cross of St George has been the national emblem for England for 800 years and is a red cross on a while background, while the Swiss flag is a white cross on a red background.
Simon's appearance marked his comeback on the talent contest as the first round of auditions got underway.
He has spent the majority of the last two years in his US home after needing treatment for a spinal injury following an electric bike incident in May 2020.
He has since recovered and recently got engaged to his partner Lauren Silverman, 44.
Simon popped the question to his longtime partner while on holiday in Barbados with their son Eric, seven, and Lauren's older son Adam, 16, in attendance.
The music and TV mogul reportedly got down on one knee on Christmas Eve in a romantic proposal during a family holiday.
His close friend and fellow BGT judge Amanda Holden spoke of her delight at the happy news, and said she was gobsmacked Simon had popped the question.
Meanwhile, back at the auditions, Simon couldn't help but have a cheeky dig at David's short-lived marriage.
As the two stars began filming the latest series of the ITV talent show, Simon's happy news became a topic of conversation on the judging panel.
The Daily Star says after a dance group brought up the engagement in their routine, David said in his feedback: "It was good you brought it up to date with the engagement.
"I mean, they only had a kid seven years go. He took his time."
Having none of it, Simon cheekily hit back with: "Hopefully mine will last longer than yours David!"
David split from ex-wife Lara Stone in 2015 after five years together.
