The former X Factor judge was thrown from his E-bike at his home in Malibu, California in August 2020. Simon, 63, was forced to undergo surgery on his back and spent several months recovering from the traumatic incident.
According to his older brother Tony, it was this ordeal that prompted Simon to pop the question to Lauren, who has been in a relationship with since 2013, on Christmas Eve in Barbados.
Speaking to Best magazine, Tony explained: ‘I believe that accident was the catalyst for Simon. He began to think about his future, and who to share it with. I am very fond of Lauren; she is both a caring mum and a loyal companion to Simon.
‘She is constantly reaching out to all our family; and was incredibly supportive to all of us following our mum’s death in 2015.’
Tony, 71, revealed that he heard from Simon about the proposal at 4:30am and he ‘immediately’ thought of their late mother Julie, who died in July 2015.
He explained: ‘She would have been overjoyed with the news, and it’s sad to think she is not here to see her son finally tie the knot. She always wanted him to settle down with a family. I picture her looking down and saying, “and about time, Simon!”’
Tony revealed that the TV boss has ‘completely changed his life’ since he began dating Lauren and welcoming his first child, son Eric, now seven.
‘For the first time, he appears to be happy and content,’ the star’s sibling said.
Simon and Lauren’s wedding plans are currently under wraps but his brother believes they want contrasting ceremonies, with the mogul keen for a ‘quiet family affair’ and his partner likely wanting a ‘lavish showbiz wedding’. Tony predicts the nuptials will take place in London although he is unsure of the date.
The Britain’s Got Talent judge addressed reports of the engagement for the first time recently. In a video obtained by The Sun, a reporter asked if the news was true, to which Simon responded: ‘What do you think?’
When the reporter then congratulated Simon on the happy news, he replied: ‘I really appreciate that.’
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