Simon Cowell has opened up about plans to tie-the-knot with long-term partner Lauren Silverman – the woman who tamed the ex-bachelor’s heart.
The 62-year-old music mogul has been in a relationship with 44-year-old American businesswoman Lauren since 2013 and together they share an eight-year-old son named Eric.
Simon and Lauren finally became engaged at Christmas last year after the TV star popped the question following almost nine years of dating.
Opening up about his decision to settle down, Simon says lockdown brought him and Lauren closer together, explained how his consideration for his son’s future influenced his decision – and how the absolute horror at the mere prospect of ever dating anyone in the future convinced him to get down on one knee.
He told The Sun: “We were in the same house for over a year and I thought, ‘Well, actually, we get on really, really well’.
“And for Eric, as he gets older, he will be asked more and more about his parents, and I thought it was the right thing to do for him.
“I also just couldn’t see myself ever dating anyone again. The idea of going out on a first date now is too weird.
“My mum and dad had an amazing marriage and I used to call them best friends, and I think that’s a big part of it.
Simon went on to explain that he is taking a very hands-on approach to the wedding and is undertaking all the planning himself in order to avoid an overblown celebration.
He said he doesn’t want to have “600 people” on the guest list like he had at his 50th birthday 12 years ago – and he has also banned working with a wedding planner.
And he even claims that the wedding plans are so secret that even Lauren doesn’t know when or where it is going to take place.
Reports emerged at the star of this year that Simon and Lauren were engaged after the X Factor boss popped the question last Christmas.
A source claimed in January: “Simon and Lauren are ridiculously, nauseatingly in love - incredibly, lockdown brought them closer than ever.
“Lauren was absolutely stunned and never in a million years expected Simon to pop the question. She burst into tears - happy tears - and obviously said ‘yes’ straight away.”
The source added that smitten Lauren has been his "rock" - after he broke his back in 2020 - and that the former lothario knew he had to "put a ring on it" as Lauren is the "woman of his dreams."
Meanwhile, reports last month suggested the couple are planning to “snub” Hollywood and enjoy a star-studded wedding in the UK instead.
A source explained that because Simon is "only getting married once" he wants everything to be perfect.
The source claimed that bride-to-be Lauren: “wants a beautiful, lavish event with all of the people who have been good to them throughout the years."
And the source also revealed that they want their wedding to be a "big star-studded event.”
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