Cowell gets pal's wife pregnant

The husband of the woman allegedly impregnated by music mogul Simon Cowell has named him in divorce papers in what promises to be a nasty high-profile case, reported London's Daily Mail yesterday.

Andrew Silverman filed for divorce from his wife Lauren, and his brother Alexander has accused Cowell of betrayal.

The X Factor judge had been a close friend of the married pair.

The newspaper reported that Alexander was quoted in the New York Post as saying: "It is an unbelievable story of betrayal. It is a sad story and a tragic story."

His comments were made after Cowell was named as a co-respondent in the papers Andrew filed in the Manhattan Supreme Court two weeks ago, in which he blamed adultery for the end of their marriage.

It is widely believed the naming of Cowell was intended to shame both him and his wife. It is likely that Cowell will be called to the witness stand, where he would be called on to reveal details of the alleged affair, and also of his personal finances, estimated to be in the region of $350-million (R3.5-billion).

The newspaper quoted divorce attorney Martha Cohen Stine as saying of Andrew Silverman's move: "It's really a signal to the spouse who cheated that the wronged spouse is very angry, and that it's going to be a very nasty, scorched-earth, high-profile litigation."

No evidence has been revealed so far to suggest that Cowell and Lauren Silverman's affair started before the marriage began to fall apart.

And though there are suggestions that the former American Idol judge is "freaked out" by the news of his first baby, due in February, a friend said "there is no question that he will not support the child".

Cowell has maintained a stony silence but it is understood that he has hired Los Angeles lawyer Marty Singer to handle the media storm.

And though he is not known for his monogamous ways, it is unclear whether Cowell and the still-Mrs Silverman will want to foster a relationship for the sake of their unborn baby. The pair met while on vacation in Barbados years ago.

Cowell's mother, Julie, 87, was quoted in The Sun as saying: "If it's true, then I'm absolutely delighted. He'll make a fantastic father. He'll be great."