Simon Cowell Rushed to Emergency Surgery After Breaking His Back in Accident
America’s Got Talent executive producer and judge Simon Cowell was reportedly injured in an accident on the night of Aug. 8. The entertainment mogul had to be transported to a hospital after hurting himself on a bike. Reports say the incident occurred at Cowell’s California home and that he needs surgery.
Simon Cowell broke his back in accident
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cowell was riding an electric bike at his Malibu home when he crashed. Apparently, he fell off the bike during the accident and severely injured his back. He was rushed to the hospital to undergo surgery for a broken back.
A rep issued a statement to the outlet: “Simon had a fall from his bike on Saturday afternoon whilst testing his new electric bike in the courtyard at his house in Malibu with his family,” they said. “He hurt his back and was taken to the hospital. He’s doing fine, he’s under observation and is in the best possible hands.”
Later, the rep followed up and stated the 60-year-old broke his back and would be having surgery that evening.
Cowell was also injured in an accident in 2017
Cowell was hospitalized back in October 2017 after falling down the stairs at home in London. In that instance, he woke up early in the morning and felt dizzy. Cowell headed downstairs to get a glass of warm milk and after fainting, took a tumble.
According to Variety, he was home alone with his son Eric, the nanny, and a security team. It was security who found him and called paramedics who feared he might have hurt his neck or back.
Cowell was wheeled out of his home on a stretcher and taken to a hospital for tests. He was cleared and permitted to return home, but when it happened, he feared he’d broken his neck.
Due to the emergency, he had to miss several tapings of The X Factor.
How ‘America’s Got Talent’ could be affected
America’s Got Talent is currently airing new episodes and celebrated its 15th anniversary on Aug. 4. Judges’ cuts finished on July 28, and the first of the live shows is scheduled to premiere on Aug. 11. The show’s structure was adjusted due to COVID-19 but now it will likely be adjusted again as Cowell is AGT’s creator as well as a judge.
There are four weeks of live quarterfinals and results episodes scheduled to air with 44 acts beginning on Aug. 11. Results will be revealed each Wednesday.
Even with the show’s altered format, Cowell was excited about returning to work. He told USA Today, “As bad as it is, you always have to find a solution to get back to work,” he wrote in an email. “I have sympathy for so many people in this situation, but if our show is an example, there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It’s different, but hopefully it will still be as popular.”
Viewers will be able to cast their votes online at NBC’s website or via the AGT app. With Cowell’s condition requiring surgery and adequate recovery time, it’s possible the show will either go on with only three judges or they’ll find a replacement.
