Simon Cowell flew a Caterham-Dad-to-be back on his private jet from Scotland so he could be present at the birth of his son.

Britain’s Got Talent sound recordist John Hagenstede, who lives in Caterham, was working at the show’s auditions in Edinburgh when he received a call from his girlfriend Lisa Stewart at 10pm last Saturday, saying she had gone into labour nine days early.

With no flights or trains till the morning, Cowell flew Hagenstede back to Luton on his private jet along with judges Alesha Dixon and David Walliams.

The man behind the X-Factor also arranged for a private car to whisk the expectant father from Luton to East Surrey hospital in Redhill.

“I was devastated when I realised the only option was waiting and getting the flight in the morning,” Hagenstede to the Evening Standard.

“I knew I would miss the birth of my first child.

“Simon, David and Alesha were brilliant. They gave me drinks on the flight and relaxed me.”

He arrived in time to see the birth of his son Jude Berkeley. “I’m so grateful to Simon. Without him I’d have missed that precious moment.”