Fatherhood has made Simon Cowell a softer judge

Music mogul Simon Cowell feels that parenthood has made him more compassionate when it comes to being a talent show judge.

The 56-year-old was known for his tough stance as a judge on "The X Factor" and "American Idol", but since his two-year-old son Eric -- who he has with girlfriend Lauren Silverman -- was born, Cowell says he goes easier on contestants because he feels "different" now.

"Lauren is great. And there's no question when you actually have a kid, it does make you feel different because you understand how you would feel if it was your son up there," Cowell told people.com.

"I'm very conscious that the kids who audition for AGT ('America's Got Talent') want to be there, they are not being pushed into it, and that they are having a great day out, otherwise we wouldn't see them," he added.

Cowell believes being on "America's Got Talent", which also features Heidi Klum, Mel B and Howie Mandel on the panel, shows the public he is more than just being a "bad-tempered" judge.

"I think 'X Factor' and 'Idol' were edited so that I was always seen as this bad-tempered, miserable whatever -- which of course I am at times, but I'm not like that the whole day," he said.

"But on AGT there are so many feel-good moments that they show those more than me ripping people to pieces because they are rubbish," he added.

--IANS

sas/ank