14 April 2023 , 20:01
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Simon Cowell has described son Eric as “the best thing that ever happened” to him and says he wants a second child with partner Lauren Silverman.
The TV star and music mogul, 63, is back on screen tonight on his hit ITV show Britain’s Got Talent, alongside fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and new panellist Bruno Tonioli.
He insists that away from auditions he is no longer up all night editing the series and makes sure to take weekends off to relax with Lauren, 45, and eight-year-old Eric.
In fact, things are going so well at home he loves the idea of expanding the family.
Simon said: “Being a dad is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love every second I spend with him.
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Simon showing Eric the ropes at sea in Barbados (GC Images)“And then I’m thinking about the next steps. He’s going to be a teenager and those years ahead. I had such an amazing experience all through those years.
“And I was thinking probably because of that, I’d like to do it again.
“I am 64 this year and Eric’s nine this year. And when I’m playing football with him, it’s like, my God, I have to get fit just to play with him. I mean in a positive way but his energy is off the chart.
“Will it happen? I don’t know but would I love another kid? Yeah.”
Simon’s home life in Los Angeles couldn’t be further away from life a decade ago, which was late nights partying or working until dawn.
“I’m trying to find whatever that perfect balance is,” he admits. “Years ago, I would work through the night and that was just normal for me.
“Now it’s kind of like, 5.30pm, six o’clock, that’s it. And I don’t break that rule. The weekends are weekends.
“During the pandemic I spent so much time with Eric. I thought afterwards I don’t want to change that now.”
Bruno Tonioli on Britain's Got Talent (PA)
David Walliams was replaced by Bruno (Dave Benett/Getty Images)It could explain why Simon looks so trim in the opening episode of the series.
He has been on a health kick but BGT hosts Ant and Dec caused a stir at a media event this week when they joked about his appearance.
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Dec told the audience: “We have a new face joining the judging panel.” To which co-host Ant quipped: “What? Simon has a new face?”
Simon laughs off any claims he has been under the knife for serious surgery in recent months, saying: “It’s hysterical. It just makes me laugh. I haven’t had a facelift or anything.
“I’ve had a bit of Botox or whatever but nothing drastic.”
BGT fans will enjoy seeing familiar faces with Simon. Alesha and Amanda are back, as are the unpredictable auditions. They include 13-year-old schoolboy magician Cillian O’Connor, 34-year-old singing receptionist Amy Lou and 42-year-old comedian Ichikawa Koikuchi from Japan, who surprises with a series of flatulence tricks.
The show has its first new judge in a decade, with Bruno replacing David Walliams, who left after a leaked transcript from auditions showed that he was making derogatory comments when acts were out of earshot.
Simon said: “It’s not the ethos of the show. Those comments were unacceptable. We did say to the two producers ‘you have to make the final decision’.
“I am an executive producer but they’re more hands-on. In the end, it was their decision. Obviously, everyone had some input. The network, [producers] Fremantle, all of us.”
Thankfully, Simon and his team seem to have found a perfect replacement in former Strictly judge Bruno.
“Bruno is a completely natural fit on the show,” says Simon, sounding relieved. “It was quite remarkable. It was just brilliant. He has brought some chaos to it.”
* BGT launches on ITV1 and ITVX at 8pm and continues tomorrow at 7.45pm.