Simon Cowell believes he was made to be a father.

The music mogul became a dad for the first time on February 14 after partner Lauren Silverman gave birth to baby Eric.

It seems the sharp-tongued Syco man is taking it all in his stride, with Cowell telling Extra:

"I was born to be a dad!"

The X Factor supremo added that he was scared his two dogs - Squiddly and Diddly - would hold more affection in him than Eric, but that notion was quickly dispelled.

He said: "I actually said to Lauren beforehand, 'What if I like the dogs more than him?' - and she said, 'You're gonna be absolutely fine', and then literally within seconds of him being born, I got it!"

Cowell meanwhile is due to return to the UK X Factor this year as a judge.

Watch Simon Cowell being interviewed below: