Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman consider adoption for second child together

Their son Eric may only be a year old, but it sounds as if Simon Cowell and partner Lauren Silverman are strongly considering giving him a new sibling to play with.

Despite the tot already having an older half-brother from Silverman's previous marriage, the couple have been eager to expand their family since later last year and are now contemplating adoption to do so.

"We do want to have more children of our own but we could adopt as well. I wouldn't rule out it happening. It's a good idea," the X Factor boss told the Daily Star, continuing "I'm beginning to warm to the idea of adopting."

Some suggest that Cowell has been influenced to adopt by close friend Sinitta, who adopted two children of her own in 2008 when struggling to conceive with ex-husband Andy Willner.

The music mogul and singer Sinitta often holiday together with his partner and their children, and Cowell often speaks fondly about his friend's little ones. "They are just so cute. I've known them since they were really young and they are just such great kids."

Sources close to Cowell have often said that he has never been happier since becoming a first-time father back on Valentine's Day 2014, with some even suggesting that the former "Mr Nasty" has turned soft since Eric was born.

The 55-year-old captioned a photo of his baby a few days after his birth: "I never knew how much love and pride I would feel."

While Cowell and Silverman are uncertain about the route they will take when it comes to having another child, it appears their approach to Eric's upbringing is more than clear as they are determined their son will not become "a brat".

"I'm going to make sure we teach him manners and to not talk down to people. I'm terrible at discipline but that's all basic stuff. And the first thing I said to Lauren is we'll teach him to always be kind to animals," said Cowell.