Simon Cowell told Louis Tomlinson to ''man up'' after the One Direction singer revealed he was to become a dad following a brief fling.

The music mogul - who formed the band on The X Factor and signed them to his record label Syco - revealed his reaction when Louis, 23, informed him that stylist Briana Jungwirth was having his baby.

Simon told The Sun on Sunday that he said to Louis, ''You're fortunate because you're in a position to be able to look after the baby and not worry about too much else.''

Father-of-one Simon, 55, added: ''He didn't kill anyone, he just got someone pregnant.''

Simon's comments come after Louis' estranged father Troy Austin revealed he wants to be ''involved'' in his grandchild's life.

The 46-year-old hotel worker - who split from Louis' mother when he was five - saw little of Louis growing up as they lived at opposite ends of the United Kingdom, and haven't spoken to each other for three years after an angry call.

However, Troy is now hoping the fact that Louis is set to become a dad will bring the two back together.

He said: ''I'd like to be involved in my grandchild's life. I've missed out on Louis' life and I'd like to make up for that. It's definitely time to heal the rift. Life is too short.''