Simon Cowell has confirmed he is having a child with Lauren Silverman. The X-Factor judge appeared in London to attend the premiere of One Direction's This Is Us. Speaking to a BBC reporter last night (20th August), Cowell said he was looking forward to becoming a father.

 Simon Cowell
Simon Cowell at the premiere of One Direction's This Is Us.

Cowell has been silent on the matter since the news broke at the beginning of July. He is expecting a child with New York socialite Lauren Silverman. Lauren Silverman is married to a real estate mogul, Andrew Silverman. However it is believed a divorce settlement has been reached and the couple will be divorcing shortly. 

He was questioned by reporters at an X-Factor press conference last month, but Cowell was respectful of the Silverman's feelings. He stated there were "a lot of things I will eventually clear up when the time is right, but I really have to be sensitive because there's a lot of people's feelings involved here."

Cowell said "I'm proud to be a dad", which is a contrast from his previous comments on children. In a 2009 interview, the 53-year-old told an interviewer "God, no. I couldn't have children. If I had them here drawing on the walls I'd go nuts." It seems his opinion on having children has changed over the years, in 2010 he stated "I do really, really like kids, because I can talk to them and listen to them". He referenced this past unwillingness when speaking to the reporter, stating "it's something I hadn't thought of before, but now I know I feel good about it." He continued by stating he was happy and that "things are changing in my life right now, for the better."

One Direction
One Direction at the premiere of This Is Us.

As to the status of his relationship with Lauren Silverman, all Cowell would say is that Lauren is "a very special girl."

Cowell appeared at the London premiere of the One Direction documentary, This Is Us, which he co-produced. The film documents the rise of the band from X-Factor contestants in 2010 to a pop sensation, harassed by teens the world over. Cowell, since discovering he is having a child, has become somewhat paternal (not a quality one would usually associate with the dour X-Factor judge). Of the band and their success he said "I feel like a proud father."

One Direction's This Is Us is due to be released in the UK on 29th August and the US the following day. 

Lauren Silverman
Lauren Silverman at a charity event in New York in 2007.