- Lauren, 36, is said to be '10 weeks along' in the pregnancy
- Pictures show pair on holiday with Lauren's husband, Andrew Silverman, in St Barths in January 2012
- Real estate mogul appeared to spot his wife running her hands through the hair of the music boss
- Andrew Silverman filed for divorce earlier this month, sources confirmed to MailOnline
- Pair have been seeing each other 'for a year and viewed houses together in Los Angeles'
- Lauren told friends a few weeks ago that she wanted to marry the X Factor judge
It came totally out of the blue when it was claimed on Wednesday that Simon Cowell had fathered a baby with a New York socialite.
Pictures show the 53-year-old music mogul putting on a tactile display with Lauren Silverman, 36, as they enjoyed a cosy Caribbean holiday in January 2012 alongside her husband.
Whilst real estate mogul Andrew Silverman was just a mere matter of feet away, the striking brunette was seen tenderly running her hands through the hair of the X Factor boss.
Close friendship: Simon Cowell's close friendship with Lauren Silverman, who is said to be the mother of his unborn child, was clear to see as the pair holidayed together in St Barths in January 2012
Holiday trio: Lauren's real estate mogul husband, Andrew Silverman, emerged onto the deck to see his wife appearing to tickle Cowell's head
Too much sun: Andrew watched his wife giggle away with the millionaire music mogul
Enjoying a new year break in St Barths, the trio seemed to be in high spirits as they sat on-board Cowell's luxury yacht soaking up the sun as the sipped on glasses of orange juice.
And while the group appeared to be chatting away amiably, the pictures show the pop mogul certainly only had eyes for one of the Silvermans, with him seeming utterly unable to distract himself from the alluring Lauren.
With Andrew looking on, Cowell leaned in closely to the stunning socialite, with a smirk spreading across his face as he indulged in a close conversation with the beauty.
Close: The striking brunette tenderly ran her hands through the hair of the X Factor boss
Friendly: Both Lauren and her husband Andrew appeared to be close to the music boss as they enjoyed a Caribbean jaunt on board his luxury yacht some 18 months ago
Jolly holiday: Enjoying a new year break in St, Barths, the trio seemed to be in high spirits as they sat on-board Cowell's luxury yacht soaking up the sun as the sipped orange juice
But it wasn't long until the property entrepreneur got some quality time with his wife, as he tenderly cupped Lauren's bottom as Cowell looked on.
The star appeared utterly amused by the entire debacle, and grinned away as he stared at the couple.
After the two men enjoyed a brief chat, Lauren and Cowell made their way over to a sun lounger, where they kicked off a rather friendly display.
Close conversation: While the group appeared to be chatting away amiably, the pictures show the pop mogul certainly only had eyes for one of the Silvermans, with him seeming utterly unable to distract himself from the alluring Lauren
Sharing a secret? With Andrew looking on, Cowell leaned in closely to the stunning socialite, with a smirk spreading across his face as he indulged in some very close conversation with the beauty
Reclining with their heads tilted into each other, the pair appeared to be sharing a joke as they giggled away in the sunshine.
And despite her husband being in full view, the socialite ran her hands through the music mogul's hair, with the duo even posing for a phone picture together at one point.
Following their playful display, Lauren hopped up off the lounger, and appeared to bend down to treat the star to a friendly peck.
Man time: The two men then made their way to the side of the boat for a chat
Amorous: It wasn't long until the property entrepreneur got some quality time with his wife, with the tables turning as he tenderly cupped Lauren's bottom as Cowell looked on
While her face couldn't be seen in the angle of the shot, Lauren put her arm across Cowell as she leaned into him with her hair tumbling around her shoulders.
After his close pal wandered off to another part of the yacht, Cowell then stretched out with his arms behind his head and a huge smirk on his face.
A close friend of the X Factor multimillionaire confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Lauren was expecting his child, and claimed she wanted to marry him.
Something to smile about? Rather than suffer from an attack of the green-eyed monster, the star appeared utterly amused by the situation, and grinned away as he stared at the couple
After the two men enjoyed a brief chat, Lauren and Cowell made their way over to a sun lounger, where they kicked off a rather close display
Although Lauren and her husband, who have a son together, have holidayed together on numerous occasions over the past four years, it wasn't until the socialite and her real estate mogul husband ended their union around a year ago that her friendship with Simon turned to romance.
A friend of Lauren's told of MailOnline: 'Lauren loves Simon, she says that she wants to marry him. And with the baby, she's going the right way about it! But I think this could be really good for Simon.'
Another friend confirmed the baby news and said 'yes, all true'.
Reclining with their heads tilted into each other, the pair appeared to be sharing a joke as they giggled away in the sunshine
Close friendship: Despite her husband being in full view, the socialite ran her hands through the music mogul's hair
Happy families: Lauren's husband was by their side for most of their morning on the yacht
Watchful eye? Andrew appeared to be keeping a close eye on his wife and the music mogul as they soaked up the sun on deck
However, Lauren's sister-in-law, also named Lauren, who works in real estate in New York told MailOnline: 'I have read the gossip. I have no knowledge whatsoever. I don’t know anything about it.'
Lauren, is said to be 'around 10 weeks along' in the pregnancy, according to Us Weekly magazine.
Cowell and Lauren's situation is made more complicated by the fact that she is still married to Andrew.
But sources have exclusively told MailOnline that the property magnate filed for divorce earlier this month.
Snap happy: The pair even appeared to be leaning in for a photograph together at one point
The couple, who have a seven-year-old son called Adam, are now officially separated. It is not known whether Mr Silverman filed the legal papers after learning of his wife’s pregnancy with Simon Cowell, although their break-up does leave his estranged wife free to start a new life with the music mogul.
He is being represented by Manhattan family lawyers Cohen Goldstein and filed his affidavit on July 24.
Cowell and Lauren are believed to have met while on vacation in Barbados some years ago through Mr Silverman.
However, a source revealed that there had been issues in the Silvermans' marriage right from the start – as Mr Silverman’s parents Eleonora and Allen never attended their wedding.
Fun in the sun: Following their playful display, Lauren hopped up off the lounger, and appeared to bend down to treat the star to a friendly peck
A source told MailOnline: ‘Andrew’s parents boycotted their wedding because they had their doubts about Lauren. They thought she was suspect.’
Andrew now believes Lauren started cheating on him with Simon during one of the many vacations they all shared together.
The pal added: ‘They would organise these month-long trips and Andrew would go for two weeks and then leave for business and Lauren would stay behind.
‘And people talked when she left their little boy at home and stayed away for a month.'
Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman at event on 30 Dec 2012
Good pals: While her face couldn't be seen in the angle of the shot, Lauren put her arm across Cowell as she leaned into him with her hair tumbling around her shoulders
Cowell, 53, and Lauren have been seeing each for at least a year, according to friends, and were even seen viewing houses together in Los Angeles in October 2012.
Cowell made no reference to impending fatherhood when he opened up to Chelsea Handler during an interview on her talk show on Tuesday night, sticking to topics including One Direction and his recent health kick.
It remains to be seen just how the news that he is to be a father will go down with Cowell, who has never made a secret of the fact that he doesn't believe he is the right material to become a parent.
Parents to be? A close friend of the X Factor multimillionaire confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that Lauren was expecting his child, and claimed she wanted to marry him
Firm friends: Although Lauren and her husband have holidayed together on numerous occasions over the past four years, it wasn't until the socialite and Andrew ended their union around a year ago that her friendship with Simon turned to romance
In an interview in 2009, Cowell said: 'God, no. I couldn't have children. If I had them here drawing on the walls I'd go nuts.
'With kids, you've got a routine you can't escape from. You've got to be up at a certain time. Got to listen. When all you want to do is sit in a corner thinking.'
However, in a more recent interview in April this year, Cowell appeared to have somewhat changed his mind, saying: 'I haven’t ruled it out. If I knew I could be - how do I put this delicately - faithful, I would.
Bundle of joy? Another friend confirmed the baby news to MailOnline and said 'yes, all true'
Plenty to talk about: The pair seemed to be deep in conversation as they kicked back and relaxed on board the luxury yacht
Plenty to smile about: After his close pal wandered off to another part of the yacht, Cowell was left looking like the cat who'd got the cream as he stretched out with a huge smirk on his face