Simon Cowell is set to miss weeks of filming for America's Got Talent as he undergoes surgery for an injury sustained during an e-bike fall.
In August 2020, the judge was testing out his new e-bike in the courtyard of his home in Malibu, California, when he fell off and broke his back. The fall required him to undergo six hours of surgery, which involved him having a metal rod inserted into his back. Six years on, the 66-year-old is still dealing with the effects of the fall, which almost left him paralysed.
Routine operation and replacement unclear
The music mogul will undergo another operation on his back, which TMZ has reported is a standard routine operation. It is currently unclear who will fill in for Cowell during his absence, the outlet reported.
Recovery and reflection
Following the 2020 crash, Cowell said that he “couldn’t have gotten through” the trauma without partner Lauren Silverman and son Eric. Cowell said that his child nicknamed him “Iron Man” following the six-hour-long surgery. “I know I was lucky to survive my back surgery. I have a lot of people to thank for my recovery,” he told OK!.
He later reflected positively on the ordeal, saying he believes the incident “happened for a reason”. “However, I was so unfit before the accident. I didn’t know how unfit I was until I had to do all this stuff afterwards,” he told The Today Show in 2023. “And I’m like, ‘My God.’ Things like that, I believe happened for a reason.”
Second crash and determination to continue cycling
In 2022, Cowell had another e-bike crash which resulted in him breaking his arm, badly bruising his cheek and suffering a possible concussion. However, he was released from hospital that same day when his injuries were deemed to be minor. Asked after the second crash if he would consider giving up cycling following his collisions, he said: “I’m still gonna stay on my bike. I’m obsessed with these things.”
