EXCLUSIVE: Simon Cowell reveals he wants nine-year-old son Eric to take his place as head judge on America’s Got Talent and is ‘training’ him by making him watch shows – but admits tween is desperate to AUDITION so he can start career as a SINGER

He’s one of the most influential men in the entertainment industry, so it’s no surprise that Simon Cowell would love to see his son Eric, nine, take over as head judge of America’s Got Talent.

However, it seems that his child has already set his sights on becoming a superstar singer, rather than the person who judges the talent of others.

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, the 63-year-old admits that Eric is already learning the ropes when it comes to finding promising entertainers.

“Believe me, he’s in training,” the doting dad explained. “He sits with me watching the shows before they go out and I don’t ask him, but I watch his reaction because kids don’t lie.”

He continued, “If they’re bored, they’re bored, and if they’re interested in something, they’re… And that actually really helped me. I hope he does what I do.’

However, it turns out that the young child is much more into being in the spotlight, as Simon added, “HHe’s said the dreaded words, “Daddy, can I audition for you? And I’m like, ‘Oh, no!”

Eric would even be willing to share his success with others as his father revealed that the aspiring singer hopes to be part of a band one day.

He wants to play in a band. He likes Green Day,’ Simon laughed. “So I’m like, ‘We’ll have this conversation later.’ He’s going to do what he wants to do.’

Simon made it clear that his son would never get any special treatment if he auditioned for his father.

Eric is guaranteed to receive the same harsh criticism that helped Simon become a household name thanks to his time as a judge on TV shows.

The former American Idol judge explained, “I told him, “If you’re not good, you’re not going to the show. And that means you have to rehearse. Sorry, you have to take a lot of lessons, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.”

He says, ‘Okay. And then I think he lost interest, but I think he just, I don’t know. For some reason, he’s just ready. But if he’s terrible, no, you won’t see him on the show.”

Fixed period: Simon has been a judge on America’s Got Talent since 2016

Future star: However, it seems that his child has already set his sights on becoming a superstar singer

Simon welcomed his son Eric in 2014 with his fiancé Lauren, 45, who he’s set to marry after leaving his single life behind to walk down the aisle.

American socialite Lauren also has a son Adam, 16, from her previous relationship with businessman Andrew Silverman.

Simon proposed to Lauren on Christmas Eve in Barbados in front of their son, and it was previously claimed that the couple would like the youngster to be ‘front and center’ at the ceremony.

Should Eric eventually choose to follow in his father’s footsteps and work in the entertainment industry, Simon will certainly be able to offer advice on how to deal with negativity from the public.

Reflecting on how he dealt with the ‘haters’, Simon told DailyMail.com, ‘There will always be haters. I mean, really. I’ll tell you I just don’t read it, I don’t actually read anything, to be honest.

“But I meet a lot of people in my job when I go out and I meet people and everyone is really nice to me, so it doesn’t really bother me.”

Happy family: Simon welcomed his son Eric in 2014 with his fiancée Lauren, 45, who he is set to marry after leaving his single life behind to walk down the aisle

He continued, “I’d rather be that than just fake. And as you know there are a lot of people who mimic it and behind the scenes they are monsters. They are, I could tell you about them, but I won’t.’

America’s Got Talent will continue with the results of the viewer’s vote on Wednesday.

Two of the eleven acts that performed on Tuesday will advance to the final.

Season 17 of the NBC show was won by the dance troupe Mayyas.

The winner will receive a grand prize of $1 million and a show at Luxor in Las Vegas.