Simon Cowell missed X Factor auditions just '24 hours after discovering he'd fathered baby with married lover'

Simon Cowell missed X Factor auditions just '24 hours after discovering he'd fathered baby with married lover'

Simon Cowell was nowhere to be seen on the first day of live X Factor USA auditions â€" just 24 hours after discovering he had fathered a baby with his best friend’s wife, sources say.

These unseen pictures - taken on July 11 - show Cowell’s empty seat as hopefuls continued to sing for the other three judges.

Another snap taken backstage shows Demi Lovato and Paulina Rubio mock the 53-year-old mogul's absence by pretending to strangle a cardboard cut-out of him.

It's possible he was forced to miss dozens of performances from potential stars after being stuck in crisis talks following the revelations.

The show must go on without Cowell

Cowell eventually turned up for the recording with a FOX insider citing ‘lateness’ for his morning absence.

But sources close to the situation reveal Cowell was making frantic calls after being told one day earlier his married lover Lauren Silverman was expecting his baby.

After the show, Cowell complimented the talent on day one on Twitter, writing: "Auditions today Los Angeles. Verrrryyyy good," prompting a reply from one audience member telling him: “but you missed the best one!”

The other judges had make-up redone while Simon was elsewhere

His American TV career was hanging by a thread on Thursday night â€" as his affair and new baby threatened to damage his reputation.

The singing competition show is screened on Fox, who have millions of viewers in conservative middle American states.

Many of them will take a dim view of his affair with the wife of one of his best friends and could choose to turn off his shows.

Cowell was banking on an improvement in ratings in America this year, otherwise his US Factor show will be axed.

Pictures: Simon Cowell misses US X Factor auditions

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It managed just 9.6million in the final last year and previous episodes had struggled with much lower figures, meaning he has failed on his original promise to get 20 million viewers in 2011.

A US TV source said: “This year was already make or break in America and now he seems to have taken even more of a gamble with his actions.

“There will be lots of Americans who take a dim view of what he has done and that is unlikely to help ratings.

“Simon will know this and will be terrified about the effect this affair, the baby and the divorce case could have on his career.

Lauren's brother-in-law called the affair the "ultimate story of betrayal"

 

“He is a workoholic but there may not be much work left in the US if his X Factor series flops.”

Cowell has just finished the Boot Camp stages in American but will have to appear on the live stages of the show later in the year.

He is also due to negotiate a new deal with ITV later this year, but may now wish to spend more time in America if his baby is brought up in New York.