Cowell named in pregnant lover's divorce papers

Simon Cowell. Photo / AP

Simon Cowell has reportedly been named in divorce papers filed by his friend Andrew Silverman amid claims the TV mogul has fathered a child with his estranged wife.

The 53-year-old X Factor boss hit headlines on Wednesday when rumours began swirling that New York socialite Lauren Silverman is expecting Cowell's baby.

Previous reports suggested Silverman's marriage to Andrew was over long before she became romantically involved with Cowell, but now editors at the New York Post are alleging that when he filed for divorce in Manhattan Supreme Court in early July, Andrew cited adultery and named Cowell as a co-respondent.

Cowell's representatives in the US have not responded to numerous requests for a comment since the story broke.

However the X Factor boss' mother is reported to be "delighted" about the news that the music mogul is to become a father for the first time.

Julie Cowell told The Sun: "I'm delighted. It's wonderful!"

Actress Carmen Electra, who was romantically linked to Cowell in 2012, insists Cowell will make a great father.

"What I witnessed working with him on Britain's Got Talent and coming to see him during X Factor is that the people he truly believes in, he stands up for them and supports them. So I obviously think that his child will be very well taken care of and very, very loved... she said.

"I'm going to call him... I want to know if it's a boy or a girl. It's awesome, I'm super happy for him."

American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson is also thrilled by the baby news, but she hopes Cowell isn't as tough on his kid as he has been on TV talent show contestants.

"Congratulations to Simon - I'm sure he's going to be an amazing father..." she said.

"Go easy, don't treat him (child) like the American Idol kids. Be nice to him OK, Simon? Jeez! Imagine him as a dad: 'Darling, what are you crying for?' I mean, what's that gonna be like? 'This baby doesn't have the It factor, the X factor!"'

- WENN