Simon Cowell is temporarily stepping away from his role as a judge on “America’s Got Talent” to undergo a medical procedure for ongoing back problems. Cowell will miss weeks of filming as the show arranges for guest judges to fill his seat.
The procedure is routine and connected to back issues Cowell has experienced since a significant electric-bike accident in 2020, according to reports. At the time of the accident, Cowell told Extra that he had broken his back and that the situation could have been much worse, noting that an X-ray showed he had nearly “smashed his spine to pieces.” He recalled lying in his bedroom, passing out, and finding the experience surreal.
Cowell was involved in another e-bike incident in 2022, which resulted in a broken arm.
Cowell first gained recognition as a judge on the British program “Pop Idol” in 2001. He later became an original judge on the American version, “American Idol,” in 2002. He has since built a television production company, creating shows such as “The X Factor” and developing the “Got Talent” franchise, which has helped launch the careers of various artists.