Simon Cowell celebrates birth of Jewish son

He was later seen cradling Eric Philip Cowell, weighing 6lb 7oz.

“Named after my dad,” added Mr Cowell, who has often paid tribute to his late East End-born Jewish father Eric Selig Phillip Cowell, who got him his first job as a postboy for EMI.

An Aish representative said the Ashkenazi custom of naming a baby after the deceased relative is “a great honour – and make a deep connection to the past”.

Some sources have also suggested that the newborn’s middle name is in tribute to Jewish retail magnate Sir Philip, a close-friend of Mr Cowell.

Mr Cowell, a Norwood supporter who once donated £100,000 to an IDF charity, has often spoken of his Jewish roots.

He is now rumoured to be converting to Judaism under the influence of his 36-year-old girlfriend.

The question on the community’s mind is: When’s the bris? – Eric’s, that is.