Simon Cowell Recovering From Surgery After Breaking His Back In Electric Bike Accident – Update
UPDATE SUNDAY AM: Simon Cowell is recuperating after undergoing back surgery following an electric bike accident.
“He broke his back in a few places,” a spokesperson for Cowell said in a statement to Deadline. “They operated overnight, the surgery went well, and he is in the hospital recovering.”
According to sources quoted by People, the surgery lasted five hours, and the America’s Got Talent judge “has had to have a number of fusions and metal rod put into his back.”
PREVIOUS SATURDAY 8:50 PM: Simon Cowell landed in the hospital Saturday after an accident with his electric bicycle left him with a back injury.
Reps for the America’s Got Talent judge first told People that the accident happened Saturday afternoon as Cowell was testing the vehicle at his Malibu home with family. The TV personality is doing fine, reps told Deadline
“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,” a spokesperson for the AGT and The X-Factor creator 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.”
The spokesperson added that “Simon has broken his back and will undergo surgery this evening.”
Deadline has reached out to NBC and Fremantle for comment how the surgery would impact Cowell’s duties on America’s Got Talent, which is currently in production. The first live show is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11.
In July it was announced that Cowell will take full control of AGT and The X Factor producer Syco Entertainment. The takeover comes after he agreed to buy out Sony Music Entertainment’s stake in the joint venture.