Is Simon Cowell about to become a dad? That's the rumour circulating in the States where a gossip magazine claims the multi-millionaire telly mogul is expecting a baby with New York socialite Lauren Silverman.
Us Weekly quotes several sources saying 36-year-old Lauren is 'around 10 weeks along' in the pregnancy.
The rumours are so astonishing because Lauren is technically still married to Simon's friend Andrew Silverman who, according to the New York Post, has filed for divorce on grounds of his wife's 'adultery' and has named the 53-year-old X Factor USA judge as a co-respondent.
Not surprisingly, representatives for Simon are referring inquiries about the magazine's allegations to lawyers.
But despite the contentiousness of the claims, US Weekly seems confident in its sources and worldwide press are picking up the story - from the New York Daily News to the Daily Mail.
If true, the news that Simon is to become a dad will be a huge shock to Cowell Watchers.
He has never made a secret of the fact he doesn't believe he'd make a good dad.
During an interview in 2009 he said: "God, no. I couldn't have children. If I had them here drawing on the walls I'd go nuts.
"With kids, you've got a routine you can't escape from. You've got to be up at a certain time. Got to listen. When all you want to do is sit in a corner thinking."
However, earlier this year he seemed to have softened towards potential parenthood, saying in March "I do really, really like kids, because I can talk to them and listen to them. The problem has always been how much time you need to devote to bringing up kids and I've always dedicated all my life to work, and at 52, I've probably missed the opportunity," he said.
In April he said: "I haven't ruled it out. If I knew I could be - how do I put this delicately - faithful, I would.
"I do like kids, I'm just not sure I'd be any good for the first six months. I don't think I'd adopt because I'd rather have my own. I'd have to say I'd like a little girl."
The Britain's Got Talent judge has yet to confirm or deny the reports. But David Walliams, who grew close to Simon during filming of BGT, casually threw Twitter into a flutter with his message.
Teasing his Twitter followers and after hundreds of retweets, he added: