Showbiz pals were left stunned by the news that X Factor boss Simon Cowell is to become a father.
The 53-year-old TV and music mogul is having a baby with New York socialite Lauren Silverman, 36.
She is still married to Cowell’s close friend, real estate investor Andrew, 37 – although the couple have been estranged for some time and are going through a divorce.
Gossip magazine US Weekly claims Lauren is “around 10 weeks along” in the pregnancy and the baby is due in February – after Cowell turns 54 in October.
Pal David Walliams confirmed the news on Twitter, with the jokey remark: “Oh yeah, and Simon Cowell is doing a baby with a lady.”
Meanwhile last night Simon’s mum Julie said: “It’s wonderful. He’ll make a fantastic father.”
A source said: “Lauren and Andrew have been married for about 10 years, but they have been unhappy for some time and their divorce has been in the works for a while.
“As their marriage deteriorated, she and Simon became close. Their relationship blossomed this year and the baby is the result of that.”