Over the course of two years, Simon Cowell endured two separate bicycle accidents that significantly impacted his health. During a recent appearance on the Today Show with his fellow America’s Got Talent judges, Howie Mandel, Terry Crews, and Heidi Klum, the incidents were openly discussed.
The 64-year-old faced a similar accident while cycling in London in early 2022, following a previous e-bike crash in Malibu in 2020. In a promotional video for the upcoming 18th season of America’s Got Talent, Simon was asked how these experiences have shaped his outlook on life. He admitted, “I wasn’t in great shape before these accidents, and they were absolutely dreadful.” Reflecting on his recovery, he acknowledged how unfit he had become.
“It was a wake-up call, a real ‘god’ moment,” he said. Despite the setbacks, Simon remains passionate about cycling, believing that everything happens for a reason.
To the amusement of his fellow judges, he confidently stated, “I’m not giving up on my bike.” He praised the innovation behind modern bicycles, expressing his ongoing enthusiasm.
Following his second accident, Simon was hospitalized with a concussion and a broken arm. Although this crash was less severe than the first, it still resulted in a broken back, requiring surgery to insert metal rods and screws. He wore a wrist brace for several months. The incident led Simon to reevaluate his lifestyle, motivated by his fiancée Lauren Silverman and their nine-year-old son, Eric.
In an April 2023 interview with The Sun, Simon revealed how his e-bike accident impacted him emotionally. “When I injured my back, I was in such a dark place that, for the first time, I considered therapy,” he shared. “I felt so helpless and couldn’t express my feelings to Eric. I wondered when I’d be able to walk or play football with him again.”
Simon and Lauren welcomed Eric on February 14, 2014. Simon revealed that his son humorously gave him a new nickname following his biking accidents. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, he confessed feeling “embarrassed” watching the shows at home but found comfort in his son’s playful comparison to Iron Man.
“When I reunited with my family, Eric looked at me and said, ‘Dad, you look like Iron Man.’ I laughed and replied, ‘Yes, I really am like Iron Man,’” Simon recounted proudly.
Despite the serious nature of his injuries, Simon has embraced humor in dealing with his setbacks. During an AGT episode featuring a daring Shaolin Kung Fu act, Terry Crews asked if Simon would ever attempt such stunts. Simon jokingly responded, “After my back injury, just walking in the garden with Eric felt like a massive achievement. Sometimes I’d even think, ‘Maybe this isn’t the best idea.’”
Simon’s journey is a testament to resilience and self-reflection. Despite the challenges posed by his accidents, he continues to find joy in cycling and life, never losing his sense of humor.
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