Simon Cowell will miss several weeks of America’s Got Talent filming to undergo back surgery, according to his representative, who described the procedure as routine. Cowell’s back problems trace back to a 2020 e-bike accident that broke his back, and the surgery is intended to address issues stemming from that injury rather than a new health crisis.
Cowell was still at the judges’ table when the show’s quarterfinals began on August 18, and the show is now working to schedule guest judges to fill in during his recovery. His fellow AGT judges have spoken publicly about missing him at the table.
The Injury Behind the Surgery
Cowell’s 2020 e-bike accident, which happened while he was testing a new electric bike at his Malibu home, resulted in a broken back that required emergency surgery at the time and reportedly changed his approach to physical activity afterward. Ongoing issues from that original injury are what’s driving this follow-up procedure six years later.
What This Means for AGT
A multi-week absence from a judge as central to the show’s identity as Cowell is a real production challenge, which is why the show is bringing in guest judges rather than simply running with an empty seat. Cowell is expected back once he’s recovered, with no specific return date given beyond “a few weeks.”
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