Lauren Silverman and Simon Cowell affair started before her marriage ends

Andrew Silverman believes his estranged wife Lauren was “totally into Simon [Cowell]” for years before the pair embarked on an affair, it was emerged today.

It came as photos emerged today of Simon Cowell sharing an intimate moment with Lauren Silverman during a cruise off the coast of the French Riviera in August 2012.

Meanwhile, the New York Post and TMZ.com suggest that Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman had in fact begun their “affair” long before her marriage ended.

A source close to Andrew Silverman today said he believes the affair only started earlier this year, adding: “He knew Lauren was always totally into Simon, but as far as Andrew is concerned it was this spring when things went to another level.”

Andrew Silverman had even joined his wife and good friend Simon Cowell while house hunting in Los Angeles in October.

Simon Cowell and Lauren Silverman had in fact begun their “affair” long before her marriage ended

The source admits: “Andrew maybe was in a little bit of denial about this. He knew Lauren had star f***ing tendencies – not literally – and that she enjoyed being around celebrities, but he had no real clue.”

Having filed for divorce after discovering his wife is pregnant by the man he had thought his friend, Andrew Silverman now hopes that the divorce will be speedy and the couple can come to an agreement over their 7-year-old son Adam.

However, in a chilling threat, if it does go to court, real estate millionaire Andrew Silverman knows “plenty about Simon”, according to friends – which could prove to be extremely embarrassing for the X Factor judge.

Earlier today, the Silvermans met at the house Lauren and their young son have been staying at in the Hamptons to discuss their divorce.

This week, it was revealed that Andrew Silverman has taken the unusual step of naming Simon Cowell as a co-respondent in the divorce papers he filed two weeks ago.