Simon Cowell, expectant dad, says he is 'happier than I've ever been'

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- British television personality Simon Cowell, whose girlfriend is pregnant with their first child, says he is "happier than I've ever been."

News of Lauren Silverman's pregnancy was first reported in July. She has since settled her messy divorce from Cowell's one-time close friend, Andrew Silverman.

"Oh, my God, it's exciting, and [also] this is going to be a bit of a nightmare now for the next few weeks," Cowell said of impending fatherhood in an interview to air on Tuesday's edition of "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."

"I can't blame the media, because it was a really juicy story. But there was a lot of stuff that was said about [Silverman] -- that she trapped me and that she's a gold digger -- and it's absolute nonsense. She's a great girl."

Cowell said he's "happier than I've ever been."