Simon Cowell, the well-known TV personality, has faced numerous health challenges, most notably two bicycle accidents in a two-year period. In a recent appearance on the Today Show with his America’s Got Talent co-judges, Simon opened up about these incidents.
The 63-year-old celebrity, who had previously crashed his e-bike in Malibu in 2020, unfortunately had a similar incident while bicycling in London in early 2022. Despite these setbacks, Simon has not allowed them to dampen his spirits.
When asked about the profound effect these mishaps had on his outlook on life, Simon reflected, “I wasn’t in the best shape before the accidents, so they were far from terrific, rather quite terrible.” Through the subsequent healing process, he realized how unfit he was.
But instead of giving up, Simon found renewed enthusiasm for riding his beloved bike. He exclaimed, “It was a revelation, a true god’s moment! I’m not giving up on my bike,” much to the delight of his co-stars. Simon remains smitten by the marvels of two-wheeled adventures.
Following the second incident, it was discovered that Simon likely had a concussion and a fractured arm. Despite the less severe nature of the second collision, he still suffered a broken back and had to wear a wrist brace for several weeks.
These events prompted Simon to make some positive changes in his life, especially for the sake of his nine-year-old son, Eric. His fiancée, Lauren Silverman, served as his inspiration.
In an interview with The Sun, Simon openly discussed coping with the aftermath of the e-bike injuries. He revealed, “When I fractured my back, I was in such a terrible place that I considered going to therapy for the first time in my life.” Simon experienced misery and struggled to communicate his feelings to Eric. He wondered if he would ever be able to engage in physical activities with his son again, such as playing football or going for a simple walk.
Simon and Lauren welcomed Eric on Valentine’s Day in 2014. Simon later shared that his child gave him a nickname as a result of the bike accidents. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, the Britain’s Got Talent judge confessed feeling a little embarrassed after the incidents when he returned home.
However, Simon found solace in the fact that his son compared him to the well-known superhero, Iron Man, despite having metal rods and screws in his back. When Eric said, “Dad, you look like Iron Man,” Simon couldn’t help but smile. With a sly grin, he replied, “Yes, I am similar to Iron Man.”
Since then, Simon has developed the ability to laugh at his misfortunes, even joking about a more serious injury he sustained in June 2021 while working on the AGT set.
When Terry asked if he could see himself performing risky feats like a father-son duo showcasing a Shaolin Kung Fu routine during a family-friendly tryout, Simon humorously responded, “After breaking my back, even walking in the garden with Eric feels like a great accomplishment. But whether it’s a good idea, I can’t say.”
Simon’s unbreakable spirit shines through his journey of perseverance and introspection. Despite the challenges posed by the bicycle accidents, he continues to embrace life with joy and maintains his love for riding, all while finding humor in his road experiences.
