Cowell, Silverman welcome baby boy

LOS ANGELES — Simon Cowell is a proud new father. A spokeswoman for Cowell said Friday that he and Jewish socialite Lauren Silverman welcomed their baby son early Friday evening, in New York.

The spokeswoman, AnnMarie Thomson, said the infant weighed 6 pounds, 7 ounces (2.9 kilograms), and is named Eric, after Cowell’s father.

Cowell, of “American Idol” and “The X Factor” fame, posted a series of tweets about the happy event. He said the new mom is in “great shape” and describes his new son as “healthy and handsome.”

Last year, Cowell dodged questions about his relationship with the married Silverman. But he later called her “special” and said he feels good about fatherhood, something he hadn’t previously considered.

People magazine reported that Silverman’s divorce from Andrew Silverman became final in New York in December.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press.