Simon Cowell plans big wedding

Feb 18, 2010, 10:17 GMT

Simon Cowell is planning the "biggest showbiz wedding for years".

The music mogul's friends have confirmed he proposed to girlfriend Mezhgan Hussainy on Valentine's Day (14.02.10) and are amazed at how happy the make-up artist is making him.

One pal told The Sun newspaper: "Simon's definitely engaged. I've never seen him so happy. He's known Mezhgan several years and they've grown close. He finally popped the question.

"He knows it's right this time. It will be the biggest showbiz wedding in years."

According to those close to the 50-year-old star - whose ex-girlfriends include singer Sinitta and presenter Terri Seymour - he was keen to keep news of his engagement under wraps because he has said several times he never wants to marry and feared looking foolish.

A friend of Simon's revealed: "Simon's asked us all to keep quiet about the engagement because I think, after everything he's said over the years, he's a bit embarrassed by it.

"He's an incredibly instinctive person and this is just right. When he turned 50 in October, he was forced to evaluate things and really think about what he wanted from life."

Simon's close friend, Louis Walsh - one of his fellow judges on UK TV talent show 'The X Factor' - admitted he was surprised by the news, but thinks settling down will be good for his pal.

He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "I'm very surprised but I'm delighted he's got engaged. She is fantastic for him, very grounding, which is exactly what he needs to keep that ego in check."

The couple - who met on the set of 'American Idol' seven years ago have been dating for six months - but appeared in public together for the first time earlier this month.