Simon Cowell dating Carmen Electra

Carmen Electra is dating Simon Cowell. Photo/AP

Simon Cowell has confirmed he is dating former Baywatch star Carmen Electra.

The X Factor USA judge - who has been spotted on numerous dates with the TV presenter and model recently - has admitted he is smitten with the 40-year-old beauty but insisted she is not his girlfriend yet.

The 53-year-old music mogul opened up to Ryan Seacrest about their budding romance, saying: "She's not my girlfriend. We're people who date. She's adorable, isn't she?"

Electra, who was once married to basketball star Dennis Rodman and rocker Dave Navarro, previously revealed she had fallen for the British millionaire after she filled in as a guest judge on Britain's Got Talent.

She said: "He's so cute. He is adorable. He's actually a sweetheart ... I really liked him. I think he's really cool. Now, obviously, he's in [Los Angeles] with X Factor and we started to hang out and we became friends ... I think he's a great guy."

Cowell's last relationship was with makeup artist Mezhgan Hussainy, whom he broke off his engagement from last year.

He and Electra were first spotted enjoying a flirtatious dinner at Los Angeles restaurant Cecconi's in September.

An onlooker said at the time: "They were getting very cosy. They were holding hands and staring into each other's eyes - and then they started making out.

"They were with other friends at the restaurant but didn't seem to mind."

- Bang! Showbiz