SIMON Cowell broke his silence on his engagement to Lauren Silverman after being spotted with his fiancée for the first time since proposing.
The Britain's Got Talent, 62, star grinned mischievously outside a Malibu coffee shop after he was asked to confirm the happy news.
Wearing a black jacket and jeans, Simon teased "What do you think?" before the man asking said he believed it was the real deal and offered his congratulations.
The couple couldn't hide their delight, with a grinning Simon saying: "I really appreciate that."
Lauren looked just as happy as the pair hopped on their bikes and cycled away as onlookers watched.
The confirmation comes a day after Simon's friend Amanda Holden said she believes the pair will tie the knot in Barbados.
Speaking on Heart Radio, she said: "I think she's The One, but I don't know if she ever thought he would put a ring on it. Then last night, we all got the text saying 'It's happening'.
"We couldn't believe it and I knew it would be in the papers today if we got the text last night. So I was like, 'Oh my goodness'."
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Earlier this week The Sun revealed Simon is to marry for the first time - after secretly proposing.
He got down on one knee during the couple’s recent holiday in Barbados, The Sun can reveal.
Romantic Simon popped the question in front of the couple’s seven-year-old son, Eric, and step-son Adam, from Lauren’s first marriage, on Christmas Eve.
A source said: “Simon and Lauren are ridiculously, nauseatingly in love - incredibly, lockdown brought them closer than ever.
“Lauren was absolutely stunned and never in a million years expected Simon to pop the question. She burst into tears - happy tears - and obviously said ‘yes’ straight away.
“It was important to Simon that the kids were there too, as he adores them both and the family they’ve become.
“Lauren has been Simon’s rock over these past few years - supporting him when he broke his back, and through thick and thin generally. They make a wonderful couple.
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“Whilst Simon never thought he was the marrying type, he’s realised he’s met the woman of his dreams - and couldn’t be happier. In the words of Beyoncé, it was time to put a ring on it.”
The mogul, worth £360million, has been dating the stunning American socialite - who is also a millionaire in her own right - for 13 years.
They have homes together in Los Angeles and London, and saw in the new year with friends at Simon’s Bajan pad.
The couple first met in 2004 when Lauren, 44, was still married to one of Simon’s good friends, property mogul Andrew Silverman.
They later fell in love and went public with their relationship in 2013.
Lauren fell pregnant with Simon’s first child, Eric, who named after the BGT star’s beloved late dad, soon after.
Simon, whose ex’s include Sinitta, TV presenter Teri Seymour and make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy previously said he didn’t believe in marriage.
In 2008 he said: “I don't believe in marriage, certainly not in this business.
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“The truth is that you get married and in a year or two they clean you out! It's just not going to work.”
Last night a spokesman for Simon confirmed the happy news but declined to comment further.