Former American Idol judge Paula Abdul has admitted that she was shocked when she heard that Simon Cowell had proposed to his girlfriend Mezhgan Hussainy.

However, having sat beside Simon on Idol for seven years, she is sure that the music mogul will make a good husband.

“I know Simon so well and honest to God, I think he’s at that stage in his life where he’s a grown-up Simon now, making him a great and loving husband,” Abdul told People.

“But he still has that little bad boy in him.”

She added: “It took me about 12 days to take my jaw off the ground and put it back up [after I found out].

“But Mezghan is a lovely girl and I’ve known her for a long time. They make a great couple and I’m happy for them.”