Simon Cowell wants his son Eric to start working for him at the age of ten.
The 59-year-old music mogul revealed “if he could”, he would pull his five-year-old son – who he has with partner Lauren Silverman – out of school in just five years time, and employ him at his record label Syco.
In an interview with NBC he said: “Listen, if I can get him out at 10 to come and work for me then I would.”
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The Britain’s Got Talent judge – who left school at the age of 16 – also went on to reveal that he thinks homework should be banned as a “happy kid” is more important than an “over-educated, stressed kid”.
He added: “I was better off out of school than I was in. But I didn’t have that major stress about homework, because I would just throw it away. A healthy, happy kid is more important than an over-educated, stressed kid.”
Simon has openly admitted in the past that he would love his son to officially take over the reins of his entertainment empire one day, and last year he gave Eric a taste of what’s to come as he let his mini me have control of Syco offices as part of Unicef UK’s World Children’s Day.
View this post on InstagramEric reading his new favourite book ‘Come Find Me’ and it’s illustrated by my friend @terrycrews!
Simon said of the experience: “Unicef’s World Children’s Day is an inspired idea. I can now talk as a very proud dad about the joy Eric has brought to my life.
“My dream would be to see him one day running the company I have built. And the most important lesson I have learned is what children teach you. They all have a voice.”
Simon’s comments about wanting to take Eric out of school at 10 sparked a debate on Twitter.
One person said: “How easy for Simon Cowell to say that children don’t need an education. He’s a multi-millionaire. Easy to say you don’t need an education if money is no object. Maybe his son wants an education.”
Another wrote: “Undermining the depth of classroom education and school work is an uninspiring lecture by BGT boss Simon Cowell for children from working class families who rely on the school structure for meals, friendship, and the social connections they build on later in life.”
Read more: Simon Cowell opens up about fears for son Eric
However, others defended him.
One wrote: “I think @SimonCowell is getting way too much grief regarding his comments on schooling. I agree with the sentiment that a happy and healthy kid is better than a well-educated stressed kid. I’m sure he was exaggerating about pulling him out of school at 10 years old.”
Another said: “@SimonCowell I [love] your honesty. School isn’t the right place for all children because ‘one size fits all schooling’ is wrong … square pegs round holes.”
Back in April, Simon admitted he’s nervous about what Eric will have to go through as he grows up.
Speaking to the Mail’s Weekend Magazine, he revealed that he worries about Eric being bullied, claiming he “couldn’t handle it”.
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