Simon Cowell will be absent from "America's Got Talent" for several weeks as he undergoes a medical procedure related to lingering back problems. The show is reportedly arranging for guest judges to fill his seat during his absence.
The procedure is described as routine and is connected to back issues Cowell has experienced since a significant electric bike accident in 2020. At the time of that accident, Cowell sustained a broken back, which he has discussed publicly.
He has also been involved in another e-bike incident. In 2022, he was injured in a second e-bike accident, which resulted in a broken arm, according to reports.
Cowell first gained prominence as a judge on the British show "Pop Idol" in 2001. He became widely known to American audiences in 2002 as an original judge on "American Idol." Over the years, he has been instrumental in creating television formats, including "The X Factor" and the global "Got Talent" franchise, and has been involved in developing the careers of various musical acts.