Simon Cowell - Simon Cowell Ready To Wed

Simon Cowell will be a "great and loving" husband.

The music mogul got engaged to make-up artist Mezhgan Hussainy earlier this year and close pal Paula Abdul - who worked with the 50-year-old star on the judging panel of 'American Idol' - admits she is not surprised he has finally decided to settle down.

She said: "I know Simon so well and honest to God, I think he's at that stage in his life where he's a grown-up Simon now, making him a great and loving husband. But he still has that little bad boy in him."

Although Paula thinks Simon is at the right stage in his life to marry, she admits she was astonished when she first learned he and the 'American Idol' make-up artist - who he has been dating for just under a year - were planning to tie the knot.

She added to People magazine: "It took me about 12 days to take my jaw off the ground and put it back up.

"But Mezhgan is a lovely girl and I've known her for a long time. They make a great couple and I'm happy for them."

Despite knowing Simon is smitten with his fiancee, Paula admits he rarely speaks about her.

She added: "That would be an alter ego of Simon to gush about her. That is not part of his DNA.

"However, I know that he's in a happy place so that makes me happy. He would never gush about anyone unless it was about himself and that's why we love Simon."