What happened to Simon Cowell? Media mogul speaks out about breaking back in electric bike accident - and how he is doing now

Last year, Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell had been rushed to hospital when he injured his back after falling off his electric bike.

While he remained largely quiet throughout his recovery period, the media mogul has revealed that he has fully recovered from the incident, and that he feels “better than [he] did before the accident”.

What has Simon Cowell said?

Speaking to Extra TV, Cowell said: “It could have been a lot worse. When I saw the X-ray, I really nearly could have smashed by spine to pieces, so I literally wouldn’t have been able to walk.

"I knew I’d broken my back the minute I landed. It was really, really kind of sudden and it hurt.”

Cowell said that without the support and care he received from Lauren Silverman, his girlfriend, and Eric, his son, he “couldn’t have got through it”.

He added: “I’ve never been in this situation in my life where you literally can’t move. The pain was off the charts. But you’ve got to stay positive.

"I made a promise to myself I’d be fitter than I was before I had the accident. Sure enough, that’s what happened.”

Cowell opened up more about the accident speaking to People magazine: “I’ve got to be honest with you, it wasn’t that bad actually breaking your back.

"I mean it wasn’t great for three-to-four weeks but after that you get through it.

"I had to do so much exercise now. I actually feel better than I did before the accident.”

The TV judge joked that “if you want to feel healthier, break your back”.

What happened to Simon Cowell?

On Saturday 8 August 2020, Cowell was taken to hospital after falling off his electric bike in the courtyard of his home in Malibu, California.

Cowell was spending time with his son and his girlfriend when the accident happened.

He had a six-hour long operation later that day, which involved a number of procedures, including having a metal rod placed in his back.

His spokeswoman at the time said that the TV personality had “broken his back in a number of places”, but that he was “doing fine”.

Speaking to entertainment website Deadline, Cowell’s spokesperson said: “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.”

What did Simon Cowell say at the time?

After news of his injury circulated, Cowell took to Twitter to address the incident.

He wrote: “Some good advice… If you buy an electric bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time. I have broken part of my back. 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.”

Cowell received various well wishes on Twitter, including from his Britain’s Got Talent co-judge, Amanda Holden.

Holden tweeted a picture of the two of them together, writing: “I’ve been thinking about my dear friend all day and luckily I’m able to write that he’s had his operation and he’s doing really well.

“My family and I wish you a speedy recovery and send you, Lauren and Eric all our love.”

Good Morning Britain host Piers Morgan also tweeted when he heard the news, writing: “So sorry to hear this. Sounds like a very nasty accident. I wish Simon a successful operation and a full & speedy recovery.”

When Cowell tweeted about the accident, Morgan quote tweeted him, writing: “Stick to that Zimmer Frame I got you in the future - it’s more age-appropriate. Glad you’re through to the next round.”

How is he doing now?

Following the accident in August, his treatment involved six hours of surgery – which included having a metal rod inserted into his back.

After missing out on filming Britain's Got Talent last year, and most of America’s Got Talent, the reality judge is preparing to return to the screen in the US.

The NBC network announced that Cowell would be back on the judging panel for America’s Got Talent when the show returns in the summer.

While a premiere date for season 16 of America’s Got Talent will be announced at a later date by NBC, it was revealed that Britain’s Got Talent will not take place in 2021 due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.

ITV said the programme was pulled from schedules in order to safeguard “the wellbeing and health of every person invovled”.