EXCLUSIVE: Britain’s Got Talent’s Simon Cowell has reflected on his fatherhood journey as he reveals the

Simon Cowell says he is “really happy” for dad-to-be Ant McPartlin and his wife Anne-Marie – and has been giving the TV star parenting advice.

Simon, 64, who welcomed son Eric in 2014, returns to screens tonight for the second episode of this year’s Britain’s Got Talent, alongside Amanda Holden, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon, and hosts Ant and Dec.

And he told how he and Ant, 48, have developed a genuine friendship after years of working together – and have spoken about parenthood.

Asked about the group’s closeness, he said: “Bruno, I’ve known for probably 40 years. Amanda I’ve worked with for more than 20 years, Alesha I did a show with in America.

“We have a real friendship, it’s the same with Ant and Dec.

“Over the years, we have got really, really close, and it makes the show so much more fun to do.

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Simon Cowell shares son Eric Cowell with his partner Lauren Silverman (
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FilmMagic)

The music mogul has offered some advice to dad-to-be Ant McPartlin (
Image:
Tim Merry/Mirror Express)
“When I heard Ant was going to become a dad, I told him it would be the best thing that ever happened to him. I basically said the first nine months are a bit strange because they can’t talk to you.

“I remember saying to Lauren about Eric at one point: ‘I don’t think he likes me.’

“But then after a year everything changes and it’s hilarious, it’s great fun, and you’ll really really enjoy it. And it will be life-changing for him. I’m really happy for both of them.

“What will happen if the baby arrives during the live shows? I’ll probably have to host with Dec. Why not?”

This week, Ant and Anne-Marie were snapped hand-in-hand as they left the Kit Kat Club in London where actress and model Cara Delevingne, 31, is performing in Cabaret.

The pair, who tied the knot in August 2021, are expecting their baby in June. Anne-Marie has two childreen from a previous marriage.

Ant and his best pal Dec have just bowed out of their popular TV show Saturday Night Takeaway following a 20-series run, partly due to their newest roles as parents.

Dec has two children with his wife Ali, five-year-old Isla and one-year-old Jack.

Britain’s Got Talent is on Saturday at 7.30pm and Sunday at 7.40pm on ITV1 and ITVX.