By Debbie Emery
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He is usually the one putting people on the spot.
But Simon Cowell found himself in the hot seat as he tried to avoid questions about his impending fatherhood at an ill-timed X Factor press panel on Thursday.
'Unfortunately, I have to keep this private for the moment. It's just one of those things, but thank you anyway,' said the 53-year-old at the Fox panel at the Television Critics Association meeting in Beverly Hills.
Privacy please: Simon Cowell had to face uncomfortable questions about his baby scandal on Thursday at the Television Critics Association in Beverly Hills
When a cheeky reporter asked, 'The new baby. Were you as surprised by the news as we were?'
The British born reality TV mogul replied, 'I haven't read the newspapers. Am I missing something?'
Dressed in his signature white T-shirt and a stoic expression, the media veteran handled the pressure well as he attempted to divert the attention to the upcoming season of the singing competition.
Next question: Simon shrugged off speculation about his love child at the X Factor panel
Still smug: Even being in the midst of a cheating scandal couldn't wipe the smile off Simon's face
Strong support: Simon's fellow judges, Demi Lovato, Paulina Rubio and Kelly Rowland, tried to keep the topic to the reality show
Cowell went on to tell the anxious press pool at the Fox portion of the TCA summer tour that he will open up about married lover Lauren Silverman's pregnancy when the time is right.
'There are a lot of things I will eventually clear up when the time is right,' he explained. 'I really have to be sensitive here because there are a lot of people's feelings involved.'
When asked if he could reveal how he's feeling, Simon candidly replied, 'I would love to, but I have to respect a lot of other people's feelings.'
Promise: 'There are a lot of things I will eventually clear up when the time is right,' pledged the 53-year-old father-to-be
Loyal sidekicks: Rowland kept a protective hand on Simon's shoulder as the reporters tried to dig into his private life
Cringing: Used to being in the spotlight, Simon looked like he wished he could leave the stage at some points
Unable to get an enlightening response from Simon, one determined reporter asked his X Factor colleagues Kelly Rowland, Paulina Rubio and Demi Lovato how they thought he would be as a father.
'No comment,' said Demi, who is no stranger to public controversy herself, which quickly silenced the questioning.
Rowland attempted to lighten the mood by playfully plucking out grey hairs from Simon's head, perhaps pointing out that he is mature to be a father for the first time.
Joking around: The former Destiny's Child singer deflected attention from Simon's scandal by plucking out his grey hairs
Is that a wrinkle? Kelly might have been mocking her colleague for him being such an old dad
Old friends: Originally a judge on the UK show, Kelly is used to working with Cowell and the X Factor crew
Cowell, who is worth an estimated $305 million, insisted he will do everything he can to support and provide for his child after the news broke on Wednesday that 36-year-old Lauren is expecting.
It has now emerged that Mrs Silverman's husband, Andrew, has cited Cowell in divorce papers. The move, clearly designed to embarrass him, could potentially force him to reveal details of the alleged affair in court.
Mrs Silverman is accused in the papers of adultery with Cowell and of being 'cruel and inhuman' towards her husband.
In a statement Mr Silverman said: 'My top priority is protecting my seven year old son while working to resolve all outstanding issues with my wife. Hopefully people can respect the interest of our child during this process.'
Defensive: When reporters asked the judges their thoughts of Simon being a father, Demi replied: 'No comment'
Powerful woman: Rowland looked like a force to be reckoned with as she sat sternly on the TCA panel
While the breakdown of the Silverman marriage gets increasingly messy over in Bridgehampton, New York, it was business as usual back in Los Angeles when Simon finally got to answer questions about his job.
The former American Idol judge announced at Thursday's panel that next season of The X Factor would offer a $1 million grand prize, down from $5 million, reported Variety.com.
'We got to a point where it was almost too much,' he said. 'We want artists to be artists. The prize is now $1 million, and they still get a Sony recording contract.'
Keeping quiet: Simon's former American Idol sidekick Paula Abdul declined to comment about the love child when she visited a Beverly Hills hair salon on Thursday
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Source : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2383031/Simon-Cowell-ignores-baby-news-X-Factor-press-conference.html?ITO=1490&ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490
