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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Grace Hoffman

Simon Cowell's uncharacteristic proposal to Lauren - and son Eric's adorable role

Simon Cowell proposed to his long-term girlfriend of nine years Lauren Silverman late last year.

The Britain's Got Talent judge popped the question in a romantic proposal during the couple's luxe holiday to Barbados.

They are expected to have a dazzling wedding ceremony in London next month with a guest list littered with celebrity A-listers.

Lauren, 44, reportedly "burst into tears" when Simon, 62, got down on one knee on Christmas Eve.

The music mogul didn't hold back on expenses for the special moment and splashed the cash on a diamond ring - that reportedly set him back a jaw-dropping £250,000.

Simon and Lauren's love story started in 2013 (David Fisher/REX/Shutterstock)
The lovebirds share son Eric together (FilmMagic)

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The engagement ring was clearly within the businessman's budget, having an estimated and whopping net worth of £428m.

At the time, an insider told The Sun: "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."

Whilst Simon didn't hold back on expenses for his wife-to-be, he remained humble during the proposal with the helping hand of his son.

He and Lauren share son Eric, who they welcomed in 2014, and the eight-year-old played a special part in his father's proposal.

Speaking on Entertainment Tonight, Simon revealed: "One hundred per cent he had to coach me. And we planned it. He was a big part of it."

Lauren's son Adam, 16, who she has from a previous relationship, was also present for the proposal.

Simon, Lauren, Eric and Adam at the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2018 (Getty Images)
Simon revealed that Eric held a special part in the proposal (PA)

However, Simon's brother Tony believes that the proposal was due to a "life-changing accident", he exclusively told The Mirror.

Referring to his brother's e-bike accident in 2020 when he broke his back, he said: "I believe that accident was the catalyst for Simon. He began to think about his future, and who to share it with.

"I am very fond of Lauren; she is both a caring mum and a loyal companion to Simon. She is constantly reaching out to all our family; and was incredibly supportive to all of us following our mum’s death in 2015."

Tony believed that their late mum Julie would have been delighted at the news that her eldest son is set to marry at 62.

He said: "She would have been overjoyed. She wanted him to settle down.

"I picture her looking down, saying, ‘About time, Simon’."

Simon and Lauren's love story started in 2013 - nine years after their original meeting.

Simon and Lauren originally met in 2004 (Getty Images)

He first met his future wife-to-be at Barbados' Sandy Lane resort in 2004, where she was vacationing with her then-husband, real estate mogul Andrew Silverman.

However, Simon and Lauren's romance wasn't confirmed until 2013, when news of their affair went public as it was confirmed that the couple were expecting their first child.

She filed for divorce from her husband shortly afterwards, and Simon and Lauren have been loved up ever since.

The businessman is expected to have a large and incredible wedding bash that'll be "out of control".

Simon admitted to being a hands-on groom in preparation for the big day as he said he would be “planning it all”.

“I am planning it all, otherwise I know what will happen - there will be 600 people and it'll get out of control, like my 50th birthday party,” he told The Sun.

Simon even has some surprises up his sleeve for his future bride, as he teased the possibility that Lauren wouldn't know the date of their nuptials.

Getting married hasn't always been on the cards for Simon (WireImage)

“No one knows when it's going to be - that'll be a surprise, even for Lauren,” he joked.

However, tying the knot hasn't always been on the cards for the wealthy household name - until now, that seems.

In the past, Simon famously swerved questions about when he might marry Lauren, once joking, "Gulp!" when questioned by one interviewer.

To another, he has said: "I don't believe in marriage, not in this business."

For years, it has been rumoured that Simon has an expensive engagement ring locked in his safe and Lauren had her eye on the rock.

One insider previously told the Daily Mail: "He's never given the ring to her and never proposed. Getting married is an obsession of hers, that is her goal in the relationship - but he will not do it."

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