He has a reputation for getting what he wants – and a supreme self-confidence that some might say borders on arrogance. But today X Factor tycoon Simon Cowell talks candidly for the first time about stealing his best friend’s wife and getting her pregnant– and humbly admits he is ashamed of his own behaviour.
In an exclusive interview, Cowell, 56, tells today’s Mail on Sunday Event magazine: ‘I’m not proud of the circumstances, I can’t hold my head up about it.’
Cowell’s affair with his now partner Lauren is believed to date back to 2009 when she was married to millionaire property developer Andrew Silverman. The affair became public and Cowell’s life changed at the end of July 2013 when news broke of Lauren’s pregnancy. He vividly recalls the moment he was told that the then Mrs Silverman was pregnant with his son.
Cowell (right) with now partner Lauren (left) and her then-husband Andrew Silverman (centre) on his yacht in 2012
He admits it was not planned and reveals that he only found out when an assistant called him out of a meeting saying his girlfriend needed to speak to him urgently.He says: ‘This was not something I planned. But I remember going to the first scan with Lauren.
Cowell admits that fatherhood has changed him out of all recognition, and provides touching insights into his new family life. Though Lauren, 38, is now divorced, Cowell won’t be drawn on any wedding plans, and the multi-millionaire says he is not a ‘conventional dad’ to 21-month-old Eric, partly because he is ‘not a conventional man’.
He doesn’t change nappies or prepare feeds but is clearly devoted. He says: ‘I adore my son. We make each other laugh. We play with the dogs. I’ve taught him to share, to say please and thank you. Whatever he has he offers it to me.’