Simon Cowell takes to social media to share rare father son moment with son Eric as the pair go head to head in a swimming race

Simon Cowell showed his competitive side as he enjoyed a swimming race with his son Eric on Thursday. 

The TV judge, 65, took to Instagram as he shared a rare video of the pair as they took to the pool to go head to head. 

Eric, 10, secured the victory as he exclaimed: 'I win I win', before celebrating and ordering his dad out of the shot.  

Talking to the camera, Simon joked: 'Well that was difficult but it was worth it,' as Eric boasted: 'I won, I won, get out the picture, I won.'

The music mogul, who shares Eric with his wife Lauren Silverman, looked to be enjoying an escape from the UK winter as he donned a pair of stylish shades in the sunny pool. 

Simon teased in the caption: 'I still think I won! Love, Simon x'.

Earlier this month the star shared how Eric is following in his footsteps as he attended the Katie Piper Foundation's third annual charity carol concert at St Peter’s Church.

Simon - who has been a patron of the charity for 15 years - gushed about his 16-year friendship with Katie as he gave a speech on the night, hailing her tireless work to help other burn survivors.

'You're the real definition of what I call strength, being a survivor in so many ways and real, real, true inspiration,' he said.

At the end of his speech, Simon made a touching comment about his son Eric's soon-to-be involvement in the charity.

Sharing his desire to pass on the baton to Eric Simon said: 'I am honoured to be a friend. I will always be here with you, with Lauren, and in years to come Eric. [to Eric] Over to you next!'

Addressing Katie in his speech, Simon said: 'You are honestly one of the most special people I've ever met because I want to take you back 16 years.

'16 years ago I saw the documentary, and I saw someone in tremendous pain. I can't imagine what you went through.

'You put those two elements together, and how do you actually just get out of bed in the morning after that? And she got through.

'I’m sorry to talk for you but we’ve spoken about it. It’s a painful process, again, mentally and physically, to get through the way she got through.'

He continued: 'I joke about the fact that I saw the documentary and I offered Katie a job but she turned me down. She said no, I want to start this charity.

'I've seen you [to Katie] over the years, give so much of yourself to so many people in such a spectacularly extraordinary way.

'You've always been here for me as a friend, and to so many people, I'm sure, here as a friend, you're the real definition of what I call strength, being a survivor in so many.'

The carol concert saw a special performance by Britain’s Got Talent 2024 finalist Innocent Masuku and burns survivor Mobi1, as well as readings by Simon's wife Lauren, Katie Piper and daughters and Katie Brindle.