Simon Cowell has revealed he was ‘a millimetre away’ from cutting his back in half during his bike accident last year.
The music mogul, 61, broke his back in August after falling from his electric bike, leaving him forced to undergo a six-hour surgery to try and fix the injuries.
Speaking at an event to promote America’s Got Talent on Friday, The Mirror reports he admitted he felt ‘lucky’ he didn’t injure himself worse than he did, and also claimed the accident meant he ‘didn’t get Covid’ because he couldn’t travel.
‘I was a millimetre away from just cutting it in half!’ Simon Cowell admitted on Friday he feels ‘lucky’ for not getting worse injuries when he broke his back in a bike accident last year
Simon explained: ‘I was a millimetre away from just cutting my back in half. So I consider myself lucky.
‘Weirdly, it was a good thing that it happened. I didn’t get Covid because I wasn’t able to travel and I probably would’ve done my fair share last year.’
The accident occurred when the powerful electric bike he was using ‘flew up in the air and did an accidental wheelie’ after he tried to change gears.
Reflective: Simon added: ‘Weirdly, it was a good thing that it happened. I didn’t get Covid because I wasn’t able to travel and I probably would’ve done my fair share last year’
The music boss is thought to have been ‘surprised by the power’ of the bike and knew immediately that he ‘was in trouble’.
Following the accident, Simon tweeted: ‘Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time.’
He went on: ‘I have broken part of my back. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages.’
He then added in a second tweet: ‘And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone Simon.’
Painful: Simon broke his back in August after falling from his electric bike, leaving him forced to undergo a six-hour surgery to try and fix the injuries
His injuries and ongoing recovery saw him sit out of the resumed 2020 series of Britain’s Got Talent after it returned following England’s first lockdown, he will return to the American version of the show in June.
In December last year, sources claimed that Simon was considering legal action against the manufacturers of his electric bike after breaking his back.
The TV mogul and his team were said to be ‘weighing up’ legal options and have been ‘pressing’ the manufacturers, Swindon Powertrain.
One lawyer claimed that a successful lawsuit could see Simon get up to £10million for medical bills and loss of earnings, The Sun reported.
Scary: The music boss is thought to have been ‘surprised by the power’ of the bike and knew immediately that he ‘was in trouble’ when he started it
Last year, a whistleblower from the manufacturers reportedly claimed the £20,000 electric bike an ‘accident waiting to happen’ due to Simon’s lack of training.
He told the publication: ‘It should never have been sold to Simon without him being taught how to use it.’
The former employee claimed the Swind EB-01 bike, which can reach up to 60mph and is banned on public roads in the UK, should not be used without specialist training.
The source continued: ‘I said to my boss, ‘Are you showing Simon how to use this?’ He said he was just dropping it off and I said, ‘Are you serious?”’
On the mend: Simon’s injuries saw him sit out of the resumed 2020 series of Britain’s Got Talent after it returned following England’s first lockdown, but he will return to AGT in June
The X Factor boss’ team are studying the claims made by the former employee and are ‘pressing the manufacturers’ about the safety of the bike.
A spokesperson for Simon told MailOnline: ‘Simon is understandably extremely concerned for other peoples’ safety in relation to this bike.
‘We have been pressing the manufacturers about this and will continue to press them, including in relation to the claims of the former member of staff.’
A spokesperson for Manufacturers Swindon Powertrain told MailOnline: ‘With any device, it is important to read the user manual before attempting to operate, acknowledged by Mr Cowell himself.
‘The EB-01 user manual includes a detailed process of how to familiarise oneself with the performance features and procedures to follow.’
They added that they are ‘in contact with Mr Cowell’s aides to progress this’, noting, ‘the company has acted in good faith at all times.’
Legal action: In December last year, sources claimed that Simon was considering legal action against the manufacturers of his electric bike after breaking his back (pictured in 2014)