Simon Cowell's back surgery marks the latest chapter in a recovery story that began with a 2020 e-bike crash. The 'AGT' judge is expected back on set in a few weeks, according to his representative.
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Simon Cowell will be missing several weeks of “America's Got Talent” as he undergoes back surgery again, six years after his near-catastrophic bike accident.
Simon Cowell during the Season 20 Semifinals Red Carpet event of "America's Got Talent" on September 16, 2025 | Source: Getty Images
"Obviously medical matters are private but it's routine and he will be back in a few weeks," Cowell's representative told Entertainment Weekly after TMZ first reported the news.
Cowell’s back issues started in August 2020 when he broke his back from falling off an electric bike in the courtyard of his Malibu home. He underwent a six-hour fusion surgery involving a metal rod and screws.
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Speaking to Extra in 2021, Cowell said the accident almost left him paralyzed. "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," he said.
He later described the accident to Kelly Clarkson, saying he was thrown roughly eight feet in the air, landing on his back in front of his then-six-year-old son, Eric. Cowell recalled trying to shield his son, who later compared him to a superhero by saying, "Daddy, you're like Ironman."
Cowell has faced additional setbacks since, including a second bike fall a year later and a broken arm in 2022. Still, he's remained committed to cycling. "I'm still gonna stay on my bike. I'm obsessed with these things," he told Today.
Cowell has been a judge of “America’s Got Talent” since 2016. He currently judges alongside Howie Mandel, Sofía Vergara, and Mel B.
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