Simon Cowell
IN PHOTO: Producer and television star Simon Cowell arrives at the 38th International Emmy Awards in New York City November 22, 2010. Reuters/Jessica Rinaldi

“The X Factor” judge Simon Cowell has given Louis Tomlinson a piece of fatherly advice. The 23-year-old singer recently suprised One Direction fans after he announced that Los Angeles-based stylist Briana Jungwirth was confirmed to be pregnant and he is the father.

In a recent interview with Toronto Sun, Cowell said he told Tomlinson to “ man up.” A father of one himself, the music mogul said the soon-to-be dad is fortunate that he is “in a position to be able to look after the baby and not worry too much about that.”

Immediately after finding out that Jungwirth is pregnant with his baby, Tomlinson came to Cowell, who was one of the first people he called. “The X Factor” judge and Lauren Silverman’s boyfriend then told Tomlinson, “This is your business but I'm here for you.”

The paternity news made Niall Horan, Liam Payne and Harry Styles’ fellow One Direction member so excited that he wanted to tell Cowell himself, a source told People. It has been five months since Cowell and Silverman welcomed their first baby, named Eric.

Cowell suggested that Tomlinson should not be condemned because of the paternity news as he did not commit a crime. The One Direction member got someone pregnant, which happens all over the world every day, and he has a great family around him, Cowell pointed out.

Aside from Tomlinson’s impending fatherhood, Cowell also confirmed that One Direction will be taking time off in 2016 following the release of their fifth album, their first album without former member Zayn Malik. The band deserves the time off as they have enough hit songs, according to Cowell.

Among the hit songs of One Direction are “Best Song Ever,” “Live While We’re Young,” “What Makes You Beautiful,” “Story of my Life,” “Diana,” “Midnight Memories,” “Steal My Girl,” “Night Changes,” “Little Things” and “One Thing." Still, the British boy band has yet to have a number one song in the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

In 2010, One Direction finished third in the seventh series of the British version of “The X Factor” and signed with Cowell’s record label Syco Records. The band has released four albums when Malik decided to leave in March.

For questions/comments regarding the article, you may email the writer at c.altatis@ibtimes.com.au.