Simon Cowell will be absent from the America’s Got Talent judges’ panel for several upcoming weeks. The English television personality is reportedly heading for routine surgery, leading to a brief hiatus from the reality show.
According to TMZ, Cowell is scheduled to undergo routine surgery related to his back in the coming weeks. The 66-year-old will be unable to film AGT during his recovery. The outlet cited sources with direct knowledge who confirmed that the surgery is a routine procedure and not related to a new medical crisis.
Cowell has experienced recurring problems with his back since a serious electric-bike accident in 2020. He broke his back after falling off his e-bike near his Malibu home, leading to immediate surgery during which doctors inserted a metal rod and screws in his spine.
“I knew I’d broken my back the minute I landed,” Cowell shared in a February 2021 interview with Extra. “It was really, really kind of sudden, and it hurt.” He revealed that it “could have been a lot worse” after the X-ray revealed that he was almost paralyzed.
Who will replace Simon Cowell on America’s Got Talent?
According to TMZ, it remains unclear who will take Simon Cowell’s seat on the reality show’s judges’ panel while he undergoes surgery. The sources have also not indicated when he is expected to return to the show.
Over the years, AGT has featured a number of notable personalities on the judges’ panel. The current lineup for Season 21 includes Cowell, Sofía Vergara, Howie Mandel, and Mel B. Previous judges have included Heidi Klum, David Hasselhoff, Piers Morgan, Howard Stern, Sharon Osbourne, and more.
Terry Crews has been hosting the show since Season 14. The ongoing Season 21 is in its live-show phase, with the Quarterfinals airing from August 18 through September 8. The Semifinals will air on September 15 and 16, followed by the Finale on September 22 to 23.
Additionally, the Quarterfinal episode on September 8 will be a special 3-hour live event. It will feature immediate voting and instant results. There will be no new episodes the following day.
Originally reported by Namrata Ghosh on ComingSoon.
