Simon Cowell reveals son Eric, 10, is a big One Direction fan as he continues mission to form a new boyband amid 'feud' with his X Factor protégés
He's said to be in the midst of an 'ugly feud' with One Direction.
Yet Simon Cowell's son Eric has remained oblivious to the drama, with the media mogul revealing the youngster is a superfan of the boyband.
Speaking on Greatest Hits Radio on Thursday, Simon, 64, revealed Eric only recently learned that Simon was responsible for the group and had become a fan without his influence.
Simon explained: 'Eric is 10 now, but a couple of years ago he said "Dad listen to this record" and he plays me a One Direction record and said "do you like it?"
'I said "well yeah, I worked with them" and he looked at me and went "no you didn't!" Those records have really stood the test of time they still really, really sound great.'
Simon Cowell has revealed his son Eric, 10, is a big One Direction fan as he continues mission to form a new boyband to rival their success (pictured with fiancée Lauren Silverman in 2023)
One Direction - formed of Liam Payne, Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Louis Tomlnson and Zayn Malik - were put together in a band in 2010 on The X Factor (pictured at the live shows)
Simon went on to share that the group's legacy is part of the reason he wants to launch a new boyband as he mused: 'Imagine if they [1D] did reform and their tickets went on sale?
'They would have the biggest ticket sale in history I genuinely believe that. I don't know whether that's going to happen or not so I'm going to find the next generation.'
One Direction soared to fame after solo singers Harry Styles, Zayn Malik, Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Louis Tomlinson were put together in a band in 2010 on The X Factor.
Simon signed the group to his label Syco Music after The X Factor wrapped and they went on to become one of the best selling boy-groups of all time.
However, in 2015 Zayn left to pursue solo music and the remaining members split for good a year later.
Last month, Simon spoke about his time managing the band and hailed its huge success when he appeared on Steven Bartlett's podcast Diary Of A CEO.
However, Louis and Niall unfollowed him on social media days after the interview - where he also expressed his biggest regret from managing the band.
During the podcast, Simon revealed he regretted letting the band own the One Direction name - meaning he couldn't continue its legacy after they broke up.
'The one thing I regret is I should have owned the name,' he said. 'They own the name. I could have made an animation or something.
'So if you're listening One Direction then I will buy it back from you!'
Simon is currently promoting a flashy new talent search to find 'the next One Direction', but it's been marred by errors, with two rounds of auditions reportedly being axed by bosses
Asked by Steven if the pop stars each owned 20 per cent of the name, Simon said he couldn't recall the exact arrangement but that new content, such as movies or TV shows, relating to the band couldn't be approved without consent from each member.
Insiders have since spoken out about the alleged resentment between the group and Simon, with insiders telling The Mail: 'They were like caged animals.
'They weren’t able to go out and do what other boys of their age were doing, but it was a case of “Simon Says” and they did it.
‘Simon was the boss, he wanted them out there. He wanted them performing. They were cash cows, pure and simple. There seemed little care for the band’s mental health though, and how it would affect them in the future.’
Simon is currently promoting a flashy new talent search to find 'the next One Direction', but it's been marred by errors, with two rounds of auditions reportedly being axed by bosses.
The music mogul recently set out on a quest to find the next incarnation of the boy band, with plans for the search to appear in a Netflix documentary called The Midas Touch.
However, it's now been reported by The Sun that the first two rounds of auditions in Newcastle, which were due to kick off on Thursday July 4, were axed by bosses.
This has reduced the number of auditions, previously branded a 'nationwide hunt,' from nine to just seven.
It's also been reported that in a bid to build interest, bosses were enlisting TikTok stars and influencers to promote the call-out for auditions itself, and were reaching out to a number of content creators.
Representatives for Simon previously told The Sun that the Newcastle auditions were never cancelled because no venues had been booked, noting it was due to 'travel schedules.'
Doubts had previously cast on Simon's grand new talent search on Tuesday, when a singer issued a savage message to the Britain's Got Talent judge after he was approached by a casting director to audition for the 'next One Direction.'
In his search for his newest stars, Simon has been seen taking to the streets of London with a sign that read: 'Simon needs you. Future megastars wanted for new boyband.'
His team of casting directors have been reaching out to potential candidates online, but one was not impressed.
Fin Power from Liverpudlian band STONE, claimed he had received a message from someone on behalf of Simon and shared his brutal response.
Fin Power from Liverpudlian band STONE, claimed he had received a message from someone on behalf of Simon and shared his brutal response
He explained: 'I got this message from someone on behalf of Simon Cowell. 'Hello, Fin. I'm contacting you on behalf of Simon Cowell!'
'We are working with him to scout singers around the age of 16-18 years old for a new boyband, which is being filmed as part of a potential televised documentary following him on his search.
'The company following Simon Cowell is BTBSC Series Ltd, trading as Box-to-Box Films. I'd like to provide you with further information about how you would like to audition for this, if you are interested.''
Responding, Fin wrote: 'Tell Simon to go f*** himself.'
The last British pop act to find global success was Dua Lipa, who was signed by Warner Records in 2014.
In contrast, in the 1960s, 70s, 80s and 90s there was no shortage of world-beating musical acts such as the Beatles, the Rolling Stones, Wham! and Take That.
