
Simon Cowell has surgery for broken back after bike accident
LOS ANGELES (AP) โ Simon Cowell underwent surgery to repair a broken back, the result of an electric bicycle accident, and was recovering at a hospital, a spokesperson said Sunday.
โSimon has broken his back in a number of placesโ after falling from the new bike heโd been testing in the courtyard of his Malibu home Saturday, the representative said. Family members were present.
The entertainment mogul was โdoing fineโ and remained under observation after the operation at an unidentified hospital, the spokesperson said.
Cowellโs partner, Lauren Silverman, accompanied him to the hospital and has been able to see him briefly. Cowellโs overnight, six-hour surgery included placement of a metal rod.
Despite the ordeal, he mustered the strength to post a โmassive thank youโ to doctors and nurses treating him. Cowell, known for his tart-tongued comments about contestants, also shared some advice.
โIf you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time,โ he tweeted Sunday night.
The coupleโs son and Silvermanโs child by a previous marriage were with Cowell when the accident happened.
Cowellโs injury will force him to miss the beginning of this seasonโs live shows on NBCโs โAmericaโs Got Talent.โ The live shows will begin Tuesday and Wednesday without him, the network said.
He created the talent show, now in its 15th season, and serves as a judge. The showโs other judges are Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara, with Terry Crews as host.
Cowell also has been a judge on โBritainโs Got Talent,โ โThe X Factorโ and โAmerican Idol.โ
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This story corrects Lauren Silvermanโs relationship to Cowell
by Lynn Elber