Simon Cowell says he’s proud to have a baby on the way

Looks as if Simon Cowell is putting the “pro� in “procreation.�

The 53-year-old father-to-be — he knocked up Lauren Silverman, a friend’s wife, who allegedly was not separated from her hubby at the time of the knocking — is putting a positive spin on the situation.

“Things are changing in my life right now, for the better,� the “X Factor� judge told the BBC on the red carpet ahead of the London premiere of British boy band One Direction’s documentary “This Is Us.�

“I’m proud to be a dad,� he said. “It’s something I hadn’t thought of before, but now I know I feel good about it.�

“She’s [Lauren] a very special girl.�

Cowell had been named by Andrew Silverman as a co-respondent in his divorce petition, alleging adultery and putting the music impresario in the potentially embarrassing position of possibly having to take the stand in an ugly divorce.

But he lucked out last week when Lauren and Andrew reached what People called an “amicable� out-of-court settlement.

One Direction, of course, was formed on the seventh season of the British incarnation of “The X Factor,� finishing in third place. The band then signed with Cowell’s record label. So they’re kind of his baby too.

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