Spencer Pratt based his "villainous" reality TV persona on Simon Cowell.

The 42-year-old reality star - who rose to fame on The Hills and has appeared on the likes of the UK's Celebrity Big Brother and the US version of I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! alongside his wife Heidi Montag - has reflected on the way he's been portrayed on television.

He told Extra: "[Brody Jenner's then-stepfather] David Foster [told] me to be like the Simon Cowell of reality television.

"At the time, I didn't know who Simon Cowell was since I didn't watch X Factor, but David was like, 'He's the best'...

"I went sideways with it obviously. He got to be the villain because he was being honest and truthful about people's talent."

Spencer - who insisted he has no "regrets" over his persona - admitted for him, the audience didn't "connect" his behaviour with anything.

He insisted he has no plans to leave the villainous persona behind, if the money is right.

He explained: "If a big movie wants to make me - it was always for business. I've now said no to shows that want that when the cheque doesn't equate that behaviour.

"I at least value - I'll play entertainment, I have bills to pay so I'm not ever gonna say [no].

"My modern version of a villain would be, sometimes the truth hurts people. I would be on camera, very truthful.

"Good producers will always tell you, for reality TV, if you think it, you say it. A lot of people don't do that."

Despite his reputation, Spencer insisted his only regrets were not taking his career to another level.

He added: "Obviously, it would be to do better, be a better TV personality, end up like a Kardashian somehow."

He previously opened up on his decisions early in his career, when he had a chance to feature more as Brody Jenner's friend, manager and publicist, despite his acting ambitions at the time

He told PEOPLE magazine: "I didn't think about it, and that moment did change my life forever because nobody ever took me seriously again. "Nowadays, there's a Kim [Kardashian] who has been able to be a reality personality and an actor.

"Good for her, you know, but that was impossible [back then], so I kind of just accepted what I got into."