Simon Cowell and his rarely-seen son send festive video message to fans

Simon Cowell appears to have jetted off to his idyllic Barbados holiday home for a scorching hot Caribbean Christmas, as he posted an update demonstrating he'd avoided the British chill.

The Britain's Got Talent judge and music mogul regularly spends festive seasons at a private villa at One Sandy Lane, a resort co-owned by one of his close friends. Today, he and his son Eric were soaking up the sunshine by the pool, but the camera speeded past the little boy so fast that he could scarcely be seen as Simon introduced his dogs instead.

He announced: "My dogs are going to say Happy Christmas in dog language!" before turning to the canines, who yapped away excitedly in reply. Simon's partner Lauren Silverman wasn't on camera either, so it's unclear whether she is joining the rest of the family at the resort, which comprises of eight luxurious properties and is reportedly "run like a seven-star hotel".

There are 34 staff on hand to make every holiday special, including butlers, gardeners and security personnel. A few days earlier, Simon had kicked off his seasonal trip by posting a video of himself and his son enjoying a competitive swimming session and "SeaBob Championship", which delighted fans.

One praised: "Your son has changed you in all the best possible ways!" after witnessing the footage. Simon has spoken numerous times of how becoming a dad had persuaded him to shake off the notorious "Mr Nasty" persona he gained a reputation for while judging on X Factor and to develop a softer side.

During his stint on the show, he memorably praised Stacey Solomon, but had icy words for others, once declaring a contestant "the worst singer in the world" on television.

He bluntly told another: "There's as much chance as you being a pop star or a rock star as me flying to the moon tomorrow morning for breakfast."

A third was told that if he'd sung the same way 2,000 years ago, he might have been stoned to death as a punishment.

However, when he saw the ultrasound scan photo of Eric, who is due to turn 11 soon, his perspective on life completely changed.

He told Hello! Magazine: "I was literally obsessed. Something changed and I looked at life in a completely different way. Every decision I make now I am thinking about Eric."

However, although he's softened, his son might be about to pick up where he left off in the Mr Nasty stakes.

When Eric was invited to join the BGT judging panel along with his dad and the likes of Alesha Dixon and Amanda Holden a couple of years back, he very bluntly confirmed when he didn't like one of the acts.

A chuckling Amanda Holden quickly branded him "a chip off the old block" - and it was knowing grins all round.