The 'America's Got Talent' judge has undergone surgery.
UPDATE: ET has learned that Simon Cowell was operated on overnight on Saturday, after breaking his back in a number of places. His son, Eric, and brother, Adam, were with him when he fell off his electric bike.
Cowell spent six hours in surgery, and underwent a number of procedures and fusions, including having a metal rod inserted in his back.
He is recovering in the hospital now, where he will spend the next few days. ET has learned that doctors have said it's a bad injury, but Cowell is very lucky.
A rep for Cowell tells ET, "Simon has broken his back in a number of places in a fall from his bike whilst testing a new electric bike in the courtyard of his home in Malibu with his family. He was taken to hospital where they operated overnight (Saturday). He's under observation and is doing fine."
Cowell will not participate in this Tuesday and Wednesday's live telecasts of America's Got Talent.
____
Simon Cowell has been hospitalized. The America's Got Talent judge underwent surgery on Saturday evening after breaking his back in a bike accident, ET has learned.
"Simon had a fall from his bike testing his new electric bike in the courtyard at his house in Malibu with his family," Cowell's rep tells ET. "He hurt his back and was taken to hospital. He's doing fine, he's under observation and is in the best possible hands."
Cowell has been spending the recent months in quarantine with his family. He told ET in May that so far, it had been the longest stretch he'd been home -- ever. While opening up about how he and girlfriend Lauren Silverman were handling the coronavirus pandemic with their 6-year-old son, Eric, Cowell praised those working on the frontline to keep people protected.
"We never have the news playing in the house, number one," he said. "So whatever we need to talk about, you know, we shield it. We keep him away from this because at six years old, you know, look -- it's hard for all of us. But for someone that age, for any parent, I think we'd all feel the same way. You try and protect your kids through this process. But I mean, having this time with him and seeing that he's still getting schooled, etcetera, I said this many times, we're all in this together."
"And you know, the appreciation for the people out there who are risking their lives on the front line. You know, that's where your thoughts go," Cowell added. "I mean, it is quite remarkable."
On Sunday evening, Cowell took to Instagram to share some "good advice" and thank fans for their kind messages.
"Some good advice... If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time," he posted. "I have broken part of my back."
"Thank you to everyone for your kind messages," he added. "And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone."
See more on Cowell in the video below.
(This story was originally published Aug. 9 at 8:18 a.m. PT)
RELATED CONTENT:
