Simon Cowell Recovering From 6 Hour Surgery After Falling Off Electric Bike

“America’s Got Talent” judge, Simon Cowell has undergone surgery after breaking his back in several spots while falling off his electric bike on Saturday. As a result, He won’t be appearing on NBC’s America’s Got Talent’s first two live shows, this season.

The 60-year-old entertainment mogul, who shares a child with his partner Lauren Silverman, was testing a new electric bike in the courtyard of his home in Malibu, California, with his family when he fell. The AGT creator/executive producer is said to have broken his back in multiple places.

“The impact missed his spinal cord by about a centimetre”

Earlier on Sunday, the music mogul’s rep explained what happened. “Simon had a fall from his bike, testing his new electric bike in the courtyard at his house in Malibu with his family. Simon has broken his back and will be having surgery this evening. He’s doing fine, he’s under observation and is in the best possible hands.”

An insider source revealed, “Simon fell flat on his back and the doctors say the impact missed his spinal cord by about a centimetre and it could have been a lot, lot more serious. The injuries are bad but he’s also been told he was lucky.” It is understood the 6 hour surgery started on Saturday evening Los Angeles time and he had a metal rod inserted into his back during the procedure.

The Network confirmed that Cowell will not be taking part in the Aug. 11 and Aug. 12 episodes of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent”, live shows.

“We miss our boss!!”

Cowell is a judge on “Britain’s Got Talent,” “American Idol,” “X Factor“ and “America’s Got Talent.” He was set to return to AGT in the coming week, for the first live show to air on Tuesday. This has been a challenging season for AGT, who were in the middle of auditions when the coronavirus pandemic hit. The show initially moved to taping auditions without an audience before shutting down production in March. However, filming subsequently resumed with virtual performances.

On Sunday, judges, Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum shared photos and videos from the Universal Studios stage. Both posted an Instagram photo in which they and fellow judge, Howie Mandel pointed at Cowell’s empty seat.

“We miss our boss!! Come back fast @simoncowell!!” the Modern Family alum captioned her post, along with ambulance emojis.

“Wishing you a speedy recovery @simoncowell ❤️????????,” Klum wrote.

“Some good advice, If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it”

On Sunday evening, Cowell himself took to social media for his first public comments after the accident and the complex surgery. “Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time. I have broken part of my back,” he shared on social media. “Thank you to everyone for your kind messages. And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone, Simon.”

The show’s 15th season is scheduled to continue production, which was delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Prior to his accident, Cowell filmed the Judge Cuts round in late June.

“Sometimes we get a reminder that we’re not invincible and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock”

According to Reports, it is believed that Simon first treated himself to two, £2,000 electric bikes when he changed his lifestyle a few years ago. The star has embarked on a healthier regime in recent years, leading to a 60 lbs weight loss. His new health regime has seen him committed to a diet of white meat, fruit, and vegetables as well as regular exercise.

This isn’t the first time that the TV personality has had a bad fall. The mogul decided to improve his health after he injured himself in a fall down the stairs at his London home in October 2017. Cowell was taken to hospital in an ambulance, later explaining that he had fainted due to ‘low blood pressure’. Simon blamed his injuries on his unhealthy lifestyle where he ‘lived like a vampire’, staying awake until 8 am every day. He revealed at the time that the horrific fall had reminded him he was not ‘invincible.’

‘Sometimes we get a reminder that we’re not invincible and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock,’ he said.

Revealing the incident had been down to an underlying health problem, he continued. ‘They think I fainted because I had low blood pressure and so I have got to really take good care of myself to sort that out.’ Before adding of his son Eric, ‘After all I am a dad and have more responsibility than ever.’

Cowell to miss both AGT and BGT?

Just last week it was revealed that his commitment to the upcoming shows would be compromised due to a timetable clash. Cowell was already set to miss out on the BGT semi-finals this year for the first time. Because its production takes place at the same time as AGT due to COVID-19 delays.

Prior to his fall, a source revealed, “Simon is gutted to not be physically there for the semi- finals, but he’ll be there virtually. Casting an eye over the talent and imparting his views in every show. ‘Normally, schedules mean Simon can do both. But AGT’s dates haven’t moved while BGT’s have, due to coronavirus.’

Cowell’s accident comes just a month after the tycoon signed a deal with Sony Music Entertainment. Which gives his company, Syco Entertainment, ownership of all the international versions of The X Factor and Got Talent programmes. The Got Talent format airs in 76 markets, while The X Factor is broadcast in more than 130 territories.