Simon Cowell Went Out With ... Denise Richards?!

What a pair!

On Wednesday, Simon Cowell revealed that he had a "bizarre kind of blind date" with Denise Richards years ago. Cowell, 51, said Richards, 40, is "cute."

They were set up by friends and met at the Polo Lounge in Beverly Hills.

So why didn't it work out? "She turned up 8 months pregnant and had a dog in her handbag," Cowell said.

Yeah, that will kill a mood! Richards gave birth to two daughters -- Sam, 7, and Lola, 6, with Charlie Sheen. She also has adopted infant daughter Eloise Joni.

So, things didn't work out. But while Cowell admits the pregnant belly was a bit of a turnoff, he said, "But she is gorgeous. I liked her a lot, I think she's cute, funny, a bit of a wacko ... but I like that."

Somehow, we're not surprised.