Simon Cowell makes joke of fatherhood rumors at press conference

Simon Cowell refused to be drawn into questions about his baby scandal on Thursday (01Aug13), joking that he hadn't been keeping up with newspaper gossip.

The music mogul is at the center of claims he has fathered a child with New York socialite Lauren Silverman, the estranged wife of his close friend Andrew Silverman.

The brunette beauty is reportedly 10 weeks pregnant with Cowell's first child, but his representatives in the U.K. and the U.S. have so far declined to comment on the speculation.

Cowell faced the media on Thursday for a press conference to promote the upcoming season of The X Factor, but glazed over the topic by cracking a joke.

When asked whether he was ready for impending fatherhood, the Brit quipped, "I haven't read the newspapers. Am I missing something?"

He then added, "I appreciate the question. Unfortunately I have to keep this, for the moment, private. It's just one of those things."

The 53 year old then went on to tell People.com, "There are a lot of things I will eventually clear up when the time is right, but I really have to be sensitive because there's a lot of people's feelings involved here."

Meanwhile Andrew Silverman has released a statement and also refuses to confirm or deny the reports. It reads, "My top priority is protecting my seven-year-old son while working to resolve all outstanding issues with my wife. Hopefully people can respect the interest of our child during this process."

The businessman reportedly filed for divorce from his wife in New York last month (Jul13), citing adultery and naming Cowell as a co-respondent.