Simon Cowell Breaks Back In E-Bike Fall

Simon Cowell is recovering since undergoing a five-hour surgery after breaking part of his back in an electric bike accident at his home in Malibu, California.

The 60-year-old America’s Got Talent judge updated his followers on Twitter and Instagram after getting out of surgery, writing, “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.” In another tweet he wrote, “And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone.”

“He broke his back in a few places,” Cowell’s spokesperson told Deadline on Sunday. “They operated overnight, the surgery went well, and he is in the hospital recovering.” Cowell fell on his back on Saturday while testing his new e-bike in the courtyard of his home.

A source told People that Cowell “has had to have a number of fusions and metal rod put into his back,” and “the injuries are bad but he’s also been told he was lucky.”

Cowell will miss the live America’s Got Talent shows scheduled for Aug. 11 and 12 while he is recuperating from surgery.