The X Factor boss has hit back at reports that the newly divorced New York socialite, who is expecting their first child, a little boy, in February, is only interested in his fame and fortune.
In a new interview with The Ellen DeGeneres Show that will air in the U.S. on Tuesday the 55-year-old music mogul said: "I obviously can't blame the media - it was kind of what I call a juicy story. But there was a lot of stuff that was said about her: that she trapped me and that she's a gold-digger. It's absolute nonsense. She's a great girl but, like I said, it was awkward because of the circumstances."
Lauren, 36, recently reached a settlement with her ex-husband Andrew Silverman, who filed for divorce after learning of her affair with Simon, which allegedly began four years ago, and will share joint custody of their son, Adam, seven.
Simon and Lauren went public with their relationship when she flew to the south of France to enjoy a babymoon with him after her divorce was finalised last month and the couple are now very happy together.
He said: "Oh my god, this is exciting and this is going to be a bit of a nightmare for the next few weeks - because everyone knows it was well documented. It was kind of uncomfortable, you know, the situation.
