Simon Cowell reveals he nearly 'smashed spine to pieces' in bike accident
He broke his back in three places after falling off an electric bike
Luckily, music mogul Simon Cowell is now on the road to recovery after undergoing six hours of back surgery in 2020, but it sounds like things could have been a lot different for the 61-year-old.
Speaking for the first time since breaking his back in three places after falling off his electric bike in Malibu, Simon has confessed he nearly smashed his spine to pieces.
Chatting to his ex-girlfriend Terri Seymour on Extra TV, Simon said, "It could have been a lot worse. When I saw the X-ray, I really nearly could have smashed my 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."
The X Factor judge also revealed the accident has made him fitter in the long term, saying, "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."
The news of Simon's accident first broke in August last year, after the dad-of-one underwent six-hour back surgery which reportedly included the insertion of a metal rod into his back.
Updating fans on Twitter not long after the ordeal, Simon joked, 'Some good advice... If you buy an electric trail 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.'
He added, 'And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone. Simon.' (sic)
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Due to the injury, Simon was forced to miss the 2020 series of Britain's Got Talent, with Diversity star Ashley Banjo replacing him on the star-studded panel.
However, Simon is now back to work for the American version of the show, with a recent promo video confirming his place on the judging panel.
Simon won't be back on the UK version of the talent show though, as ITV bosses recently confirmed the 2021 series has been cancelled due to the current Coronavirus pandemic.
An ITV spokesperson said, “The filming for the 15th series of Britain's Got Talent has been postponed from its proposed record dates in late January.”
"With the announcement of the latest Government health guidelines and with our priority of safeguarding the well-being of everyone involved in our programmes we, together with the production teams at Thames and Syco, have taken the decision to move the record and broadcast of the forthcoming series.”
Now read:
Britain’s Got Talent postponed due to latest COVID-19 restrictions
Simon Cowell updates fans after six-hour surgery on broken back