Regarding Simon Cowell‘s health update, Howie Mandel, the comedian and longtime America’s Got Talent judge, has shared a reassuring update. Cowell recently underwent planned back surgery. He is currently missing the Season 21 live shows. However, Mandel revealed that the procedure was successful and hopes Cowell will return before the finale.
Howie Mandel says Simon Cowell’s planned back surgery was a success as he recovers
Mandel told E! News that Cowell was only hours out of surgery when he received the update.
In the interview with Erin Lim Rhodes at his Los Angeles podcast studios, Mandel said, “As I talk to you, he is just hours out of surgery.” He continued, “I heard that it was a success, everything’s okay.”
Cowell’s absence follows reports that he would step away from America’s Got Talent for several weeks to undergo a routine back procedure. Sources reportedly said the surgery was not connected to a new major health crisis, but it was intended to address lingering problems from his serious 2020 electric-bike accident.
That accident left Cowell with multiple back fractures and required roughly six hours of surgery. Reports at the time said his spinal cord narrowly avoided injury, and he later continued to experience intermittent back issues.
Mandel said he plans to visit Cowell after giving him a day or two to recover. He also hopes Cowell will return before the Season 21 winner is announced.
“I’m hoping that Simon makes his way back and has a speedy, quick recovery,” Mandel said. “That’s what I’m looking forward to.”
For now, Kenan Thompson has filled in at the judges’ table, while Heidi Klum is set to return next. Meanwhile, Howie Mandel believes the Season 21 competition will be especially difficult to call.
“It’s going to be a very tough choice for America,” he said, noting that there are “way more than one or two acts worthy of the $1 million.”
Mandel remarked, “I’ve never seen this close a race.”
