HE might have been at work but Simon Cowell played the doting dad backstage at the America’s Got Talent auditions.
These sweet snaps show the reality TV judge playing Mr Potato Head with his lookalike son Eric.
Simon Cowell plays Mr Potato Head with his son Eric backstage at America’s Got Talent
The pair played with the toy on the couch before Simon gave the two-year-old some raisins as a treat.
Simon’s fellow judge Heidi Klum later joined them and said to Eric: “I love saying yes to people on the stage but sometimes you just have to say no, right?”
Simon said he loves having his partner Lauren on their son Eric in America with him
The doting dad then gives Eric some raisins as a treat
Proving he’s his father’s son, Eric replied: “Not to daddy!” leaving both Klum and Cowell laughing.
Simon said: “That’s good” and later gave his mini-me a big cuddle.
Simon seems worlds away from his Mr Nasty nickname since he and his partner Lauren Silverman welcomed Eric back in 2014.
Simon gives Eric a big cuddle
He recently said that he loves having his family with him on his new gig on America’s Got Talent.
Simon has joined former model Heidi Klum, Mel B, and Howie Mandel on the panel.
Simon told People: “He’s the world’s cutest little boy. I’ve got to tell you, he’s going to be my little right-hand man — anything he likes I like.
Heidi Klum joins Simon and his son Eric backstage
“He’s brilliant, he comes down to the auditions and really enjoys the acts.
“He’s very good to watch, funnily enough, because I can see when he’s bored and when he’s up dancing. He’s a good critic already. He’s unpaid, but he’s helping me!”
Not only does Eric get to play backstage but he thinks Simon’s job is to push the red buzzer.
“And he said, ‘You push buzzers!’ I was like, ‘That’s it then?’”
Simon and Lauren put on a loved-up display at a charity bash
Simon, 56, also revealed that being a parent has changed how he views the audition process for children.
He said: “There’s no question when you actually have a kid, it does make you feel different because you understand how you would feel if it was your son up there.
“I’m very conscious that the kids who audition for AGT want to be there, they’re not being pushed into it, and that they’re having a great day out, otherwise we wouldn’t see them.”
Simon admitted he was nervous about joining the America’s Got Talent panel
Meanwhile, the music mogul has also hinted that One Direction’s hiatus could be much longer than their fans are expecting.
Speaking to Variety about which of his acts will appear on the new series of the talent show, Cowell said:
Simon says we won’t be seeing One Direction again for “a while”
“We’ll have Fifth Harmony definitely this year because they’ve got an album coming out. It will be fantastic to have them on the show.
“One Direction I don’t think we’ll see for a while now, if I’m being honest with you. But the girls, definitely.”
