Lythgoe: 'Cowell is ready to marry'

Simon Cowell wants to get married and have children, according to his friend Nigel Lythgoe.

The So You Think You Can Dance? judge revealed that Cowell has been close to his current flame Mezhgan Hussainy for seven years and could be close to popping the question.

Cowell went public about his relationship with the 36-year-old make-up artist this week by kissing her at a Britain's Got Talent audition round.

Lythgoe told The Sun that the X Factor judge is so keen to be a dad that he is collecting pets as a substitute. "I know how much he loves animals. He is using them to supplement his need for children. I think it would be good for him to worry about someone else and a family other than himself," he said. "There needs to be little Cowells running around the house."

The pop guru said that he hopes Cowell will ask him to be his best man. "I would be elated if Simon married. It would be lovely if he walked down the aisle with Mezhgan. He might have to build his shoes up a bit though so he is a bit taller than her," he said.

Cowell split with Terri Seymour in November after six years, with insiders claiming that his reluctance to commit was behind the break-up.