Simon Cowell is expecting his first child with the wife of one of his close personal friends.

Rumours started circulating yesterday of the news that New York socialite Lauren Silverman had fallen pregnant with Cowell’s child despite the fact that she is still married to Cowell’s friend Andrew Silverman.

A source said of the union: "Lauren and Andrew have been unhappy in their marriage for some time, and their divorce has been in the works for a while.

“As their marriage deteriorated, she and Simon became close.”

Cowell himself is still said to be “freaked out” by the news that he is to become a father for the first time. It is well known that Cowell has never had any intentions of becoming a father and even said back in 2009 when asked if he would like to become a dad: "God, no. I couldn't have children. If I had them here drawing on the walls I'd go nuts... You've got to be up at a certain time. Got to listen.”

Many of the music mogul’s close friends have responded to the news on Twitter with fellow BGT judge David Walliams tweeted: “For the record @SimonCowell and I tried to have a baby together for many years. But I just couldn't get pregnant.”

Former on-off girlfriend Sinitta allegedly cried when she heard the news claiming “it should have been me”.