It's the day we thought we'd never see - Simon Cowell has become a father.

He made the announcement on Twitter, but fans were of course quick to joke about the birth.
Very happy to say Eric was born at 17.45pm. Healthy and handsome.
Simon Cowell@SimonCowellFollow
Very happy to say Eric was born at 17.45pm. Healthy and handsome.
12:28 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Lauren in great shape. Thanks for all of your kind messages.
Simon Cowell@SimonCowellFollow
Lauren in great shape. Thanks for all of your kind messages.
12:34 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Named after my dad
Simon Cowell@SimonCowellFollow
Named after my dad
12:36 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
This scary hairy baby picture from Parentdish did the rounds a lot.
Simon Cowell is a proud father
Moz Dee@moz_deeFollow
Simon Cowell is a proud father
11:48 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Even Alan Sugar and Sinitta got in on the action.
According the Sun @SimonCowell has a baby boy Eric. Simon isnow out searching for high waisted nappies
Lord Sugar@Lord_SugarFollow
According the Sun @SimonCowell has a baby boy Eric. Simon isnow out searching for high waisted nappies
11:42 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Is ThisThePic?
While others couldn't help but joke about Simon's hairy chest.
Breaking News: Simon Cowell's baby has just got his first hair on his chest.
Steve@stephenhallattFollow
Breaking News: Simon Cowell's baby has just got his first hair on his chest.
11:45 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
But there were other ways of joking about the birth.
Simon Cowell has had a baby boy!!!
Unnamed Insider@UnnamedinsiderFollow
Simon Cowell has had a baby boy!!!
11:30 PM - 14 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Congratulations to my Simon Cowell and Lauren on the birth of their son Eric, great news!
David Walliams News@WalliamsUKFollow
Congratulations to my Simon Cowell and Lauren on the birth of their son Eric, great news!
09:57 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Particularly when it came to Cowell's trademark high-waisted trousers.
Congratulations Simon Cowell!
Confused.com@Confused_comFollow
Congratulations Simon Cowell!
11:55 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
But it was mainly the name which seemed to tickle most people.
TV talent show idea. Simon Cowell holds nationwide auditions to find a nanny for his new baby son. Name of the show? Eric Idol.
Ian Hyland@HylandIanFollow
TV talent show idea. Simon Cowell holds nationwide auditions to find a nanny for his new baby son.
Name of the show?
Eric Idol.
07:54 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Huge congratulations to @SimonCowell and Lauren Silverman on the birth of their son. They have named him David Sinitta Louis-Walsh Cowell.
David Walliams@davidwalliamsFollow
Huge congratulations to @SimonCowell and Lauren Silverman on the birth of their son. They have named him David Sinitta Louis-Walsh Cowell.
12:02 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Some even struggled to quite believe it.
SIMON COWELL HAS NAMED HIS SON ERIC?!?!?! what the hell!!!
Laurennnnnnnx@Lauren102030Follow
SIMON COWELL HAS NAMED HIS SON ERIC?!?!?! à½Ã¸‚à½Ã¸‚à½Ã¸‚ what the hell!!!
11:53 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Simon Cowell has called his son 'Eric'. A baby called fucking Eric. A BABY IS CALLED ERIC HAHAHAHAHAHA.
Pip Thunder@pipthunderFollow
Simon Cowell has called his son 'Eric'. A baby called fucking Eric. A BABY IS CALLED ERIC HAHAHAHAHAHA.
12:13 PM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Simon Cowell has named his son Eric - did his girlfriend give birth to a middle-aged man?
SHANE REACTION@MrShaneReactionFollow
Simon Cowell has named his son Eric - did his girlfriend give birth to a middle-aged man?
11:49 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Simon Cowell has called the baby 'Eric'? 'Eric' is a 50 year old plumber, not a baby
kerry@kerryellennFollow
Simon Cowell has called the baby 'Eric'? 'Eric' is a 50 year old plumber, not a baby
11:37 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
While some other observations were made.
Simon Cowell must be a huge Little Mermaid fan.
Lauren Winter@lozwinterFollow
Simon Cowell must be a huge Little Mermaid fan.
11:43 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Name will sound like Eric Owl RR "@Independent: Simon Cowell welcomes baby boy Eric on Valentine's Day http://t.co/wUweKGfrDY"
Dr Ian Kenny@ianskennyFollow
Name will sound like Eric Owl RR "@Independent: Simon Cowell welcomes baby boy Eric on Valentine's Day http://t.co/wUweKGfrDY"
11:53 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
I had no idea Simon Cowell was so fond of owls that he decided to name his son after one. #EricOwl
TheInvisibleWoman@TheVintageYearFollow
I had no idea Simon Cowell was so fond of owls that he decided to name his son after one. #EricOwl
12:29 PM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
But it wasn't all bad.
Simon cowell named his new born son after his late father, aw that's well cute
sum sum sumo@sumzxoxFollow
Simon cowell named his new born son after his late father, aw that's well cute
11:31 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Aw Simon Cowell has called his baby Eric.. #propername
Rebecca@BeccaCath94Follow
Aw Simon Cowell has called his baby Eric.. #propername
11:30 AM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
Simon Cowell's little boy is called Eric lol #cute
Julia Hawkins ☮@Julz_2000Follow
Simon Cowell's little boy is called Eric lol #cute
12:10 PM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite
But still expect to see this picture a lot.
Simon Cowell's baby
Scotty@Lew_ScottyFollow
Simon Cowell's baby
12:12 PM - 15 Feb 14RetweetFavorite