Simon Cowell opens up about his impending fatherhood

LONDON, Aug. 21 (UPI) -- British television personality Simon Cowell says he is proud he is going to be a first-time father.

Cowell's girlfriend Lauren Silverman is pregnant with his child and in the midst of a messy divorce from Cowell's one-time close friend, Andrew Silverman.

"I'm proud to be a dad," Cowell, 53, told the BBC, marking the first time he has publicly spoken about the pregnancy since the news broke last month.

"Things are changing in my life for the better," Simon said."[Silverman] is a very special girl."

Cowell admitted he had some reservations about being a dad at first, but "now I know I feel good about it."

The baby's gender and anticipated due date have not been reported.