‘He has agreed to put his health first’: Simon Cowell ‘will not appear AT ALL in the Britain’s Got Talent finals after breaking his back… leaving bosses to search for a replacement’
- Simon, 60, broke his back after falling from his new electric bike in Malibu
- The star underwent six hours of surgery to have a metal rod placed in his back
- It had been hoped he would appear in the BGT finals in person or by video link
- However a source has said appearing virtually ‘was just not feasible nor sensible’
- They added that Simon’s injuries are healing well but ‘flying halfway across the world is not part of the plan’
Simon Cowell will reportedly not appear at all in finals of Britain’s Got Talent.
The entertainment mogul, 60, broke his back earlier this month after falling from his new Swind EB-01 bike at his Malibu home.
Although it had been hoped that he might be able to appear via video call for the already delayed shows, it now appears that he will not be seen at all.
Won’t appear: Simon Cowell will reportedly not be seen at all in the Britain’s Got Talent finals after doctors told him to put his health first following his bike accident
A source told The Mirror: ‘It was decided that the idea of having him judge the BGT finalists via a link was just not feasible – nor sensible.
‘Everything is fixed, he just needs healing time. Flying halfway across the world is not part of the plan and he has agreed to put his health first.’
MailOnline has contacted representatives for Simon Cowell and BGT for a comment.
ITV bosses are now said to be trying to find a replacement for Simon in time for the shows which start filming in two weeks, with Piers Morgan being one suggestion.
Accident: The star broke his back earlier in August after he fell from his new electric bike while testing it out at his Malibu home (pictured on another bike in April)
However a source said that would have been ‘impossible’ due to his ‘spat’ with another of the BGT judges, David Walliams.
The shows have already been hit by delays due to coronavirus restrictions. Although the audition episodes were shown in April the live finals had to be postpones.
Filming has also been changed to ensure that crew and acts can remain socially distanced and there is going to be a virtual audience.
Now instead of live shows, the episodes will be pre-recorded and shown in what would have been the X Factor’s prime-time Saturday night slot.
New rules: Simon is currently in LA with his long-term partner Lauren Silverman (pictured together last year)
Simon broke his back after falling from his new bike and underwent six hours of surgery to insert a metal rod into his spine after the freak accident.
Speaking exclusively with MailOnline after his operation, sources close to the family said: ‘He’s in good spirits and knows he had a lucky escape and that this could have been worse.’
And within two days Simon was already said to be back on his feet walking around and even taking work calls despite reportedly facing ‘weeks’ of physiotherapy.
The family sources added: ‘He’s doing really well considering everything.
‘He’s been walking around already, obviously he has to be careful, which is expected considering surgery was only one day ago.
‘Simon has even been working yesterday and also today he’s been on emails on his iPad since early morning. He’s in good spirits and knows he had a lucky escape and that this could have been worse,’ they added.
Power: The Swind EB-01 is said to have an official top speed of 60mph but able to go up to 80mph with ‘a little tinkering’ (stock image of the electric bike)