Simon Cowell was "changed" by fatherhood.

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman

The 'X Factor' judge admits he hadn't "planned" to have son Eric, now 17 months, with partner Lauren Silverman but says his whole life was turned upside down when his son was born.

He said: "This was not something I planned. But I remember going to the first scan with Lauren. I called him Tad because he looked like a tadpole. Something just kicked in. I felt unbelievably protective of both of them. I just absolutely wanted him. I just hadn't known that before.

"I adore my son. We make each other laugh. We play with the dogs. I've taught him to share, to say please and thank you. Whatever he has he offers it to me."

The 56-year-old music mogul also opened up about the recent death of his mother Julie, admitting he refused to accept she was dying.

He told the Mail on Sunday's Event magazine: "I wouldn't listen. I kept saying right to the end that there was hope.

"And I wasn't prepared for it. You know it all happened in my 50s. I have a son and then I lose my mother. It changes you. I'm still going through it."