Simon Cowell: I'm Proud To Become A Father

Simon Cowell has confirmed that he is to have his first child - and revealed he was "proud" to become a father.

Speaking on the red carpet at the world premiere of One Direction's film, One Direction: This Is Us in London, the TV mogul verified reports that he and New York socialite Lauren Silverman were expecting a child.

"Things are changing in my life right now, for the better," he said,

"I'm proud to be a dad."

Cowell, who previously dated Mezhgan Hussainy and Terri Seymour, said he had never contemplated the thought of fatherhood before.

"It's something I hadn't thought of before, but now I know I feel good about it," he admitted.

"She (Lauren)'s a very special girl."

It is the first time the 53-year-old has opened up about becoming a father.

He previously remained tight-lipped about the story and refused to comment directly when he appeared at a press conference in Los Angeles earlier this month ahead of the new series of the US version of The X Factor.

"I haven't read the newspapers," he joked when questioned about the reports.

Asked if his schedule would be affected by being a father, he replied: "I really haven't read the newspapers. Did I miss anything?"

"Unfortunately, I have to keep this, for the moment, private. It's just one of those things. Thank you very much anyway."