Simon Cowell welcomes baby boy 'Eric' with Lauren Silverman

Simon Cowell has finally become a father, as his socialite girlfriend Lauren Silverman gave birth to a baby boy.

The baby boy, who was weighed in at 6lb 7oz, has been named 'Eric' after the X Factor judge's beloved father, the Mirror reported.

Cowell's friend Piers Morgan took to Twitter to break the news of the name choice after the child was born.

The 54-year-old TV personality was by Silverman's side at hospital in New York after he raced back from London for the auditions of his reality show.

It has been reported that the New York socialite is staying in the exclusive maternity ward where Beyonce Knowles gave birth to daughter Blue Ivy Carter.