X Factor judge, Simon Cowell originally avoided questions about his personal life and the fact that he was having a baby with Lauren Silverman. But now the two have stepped out into the spotlight together for the first time since the world found out that he was a soon-to-be father.

At the X Factor TCA panel on August 1, Cowell was congratulated by reporters for the pregnancy, and he attempted to play it off as though he didn’t know what they were talking about.

He told reporters: “Am I missing something? Unfortunately, I have to keep this for the moment private. It’s just one of those things. But thank you very much anyway.” He later added: “I would love to talk, but I have to respect a lot of people’s feelings right now. There are a lot of things I will eventually clear up when the time is right, but I really have to be sensitive because there’s a lot of people’s feelings involved here.”

However, since Silverman’s divorce, from Andrew Silverman, was finalized on August 14, the two no longer have to keep their love and pregnancy a secret and have been spotted out and about together for the first time. A source close to the lovebirds said: “They are definitely a couple. The relationship is loving and they’re very happy together.”

The photographs were taken as they enjoyed a walk in the South of France on Friday, August 2. Silverman’s due date is in February, and you can now see her growing baby bump in the photos.

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman stroll along a beach in France today. Lots more photos: http://t.co/KMFynWOWLl pic.twitter.com/ABycx7Nrja

— Just Simon Cowell (@JustSimonCowell) August 24, 2013

Cowell’s thoughts on being a daddy? “I’m happy and excited,” Cowell told Us on Aug. 20 at the One Direction movie premier. “It’s a great time in my life,” he added.