Simon Cowell reveals his bike injuries were 'millimetre away' from 'cutting back in half'

Simon Cowell has shared the injuries he sustained from his electric bike accident last year were a "millimetre away" from being much more serious.

The 61-year-old broke his back in three places after falling from the bike he was testing at his home in Malibu last August.

"If you saw the scan, I mean, I was like a millimetre away from just completely cutting my back in half. So I consider myself lucky," he told Entertainment Tonight. "It could've been a lot worse."

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Cowell reflected on the positive side of the injuries, as staying at home to recover meant he didn't risk getting coronavirus by travelling.

"Weirdly it was a good thing that it happened. I didn't get COVID because I wasn't able to travel and I probably would've done my fair share last year," he shared.

He had to pull out of the Britain's Got Talent semi-finals last year as a result with Ashley Banjo filling in for him on the judging panel alongside Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and David Walliams.

The 2021 instalment of the talent competition has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic, but Cowell was expected to make a return to the panel.

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A spokesperson for ITV confirmed in January: "BGT is known for its diversity of talent with big dance groups, wonderful choirs and lavish orchestras at its heart, and it has become clear that not only is it not possible to film auditions with these types of acts in a secure way but also that they are not able to adequately rehearse and prepare safely.

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“Safety has to come first and, as a result, the recording of the show can’t currently go ahead as planned.”

Cowell is due to judge the upcoming 16th series of American's Got Talent which is slated to start airing in June in the US.