Simon Cowell: 'I Was Born to Be a Dad'

6 March 2014

Simon Cowell and baby Eric

Simon Cowell believes he was "born to be a dad".

The 54-year-old star welcomed his first child Eric into the world with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman last month, and he insists he always knew he'd make a good father one day.

Speaking in his first television interview since the birth on February 14, he told 'Extra's Terri Seymour: "I was born to be a dad!"

The music mogul, who has two Yorkshire Terriers Squiddly and Diddly, was reduced to tears when he locked eyes on his son for the first time and he was surprised by the immediate love he had for him.

He explained: "I actually said to Lauren beforehand, 'What if I like the dogs more than him?' -- and she said, 'You're gonna be absolutely fine,' and then literally within seconds of him being born, I got it!"

The couple named their baby boy - who was born in New York City - after Simon's late father Eric and will soon take the tiny tot over to England to meet the 'X Factor' boss' mother Julie for the first time.

Speaking about his mum, Simon said: "I think she's told the whole village ... she's really excited. I look at him, Eric, and I think of my dad all the time, so it's a really good thing."

Meanwhile, Simon has already thought about having more children as he'd like little Eric to have a brother or a sister to play with.

He explained: "I wouldn't rule out [more children]! Well, I got Squiddly and Diddly, and I couldn't imagine Squiddly or just Diddly... I had a brother when I was younger, so I kind of think it's cool to have two or three... two."