Last weekend, “America’s Got Talent” judge Simon Cowell was nearly paralyzed as he broke his back in multiple places in an electric bike accident. Now, a friend of Cowell’s is speaking out to say that the 60 year-old television personality is “very happy to be back home with his family in the fresh sea air” of Malibu, California.
“He’s been doing some work already this week but he also knows he needs to give his back time to heal properly from the surgery,” the friend told PEOPLE magazine.
This comes after a rep for Cowell confirmed that he fell off an electric bike in the courtyard of his home on August 8. He then had to undergo a “five-hour surgery” that same night and had to have a “number of fusions and metal rod put into his back,” according to another source.
The friend of Cowell’s said that he was already “walking around again” just two days after the operation.
“He’s been able to walk quite a lot and quicker than the experts had expected him to do after this type of major surgery, which is a great sign for the healing coming along well,” the friend said.
Cowell was not able to take part in the first week of live shows for “America’s Got Talent,” and the singer and talk show host Kelly Clarkson filled in for him.
“The AGT production team had even sent him a giant X and a Golden Buzzer,” the friend said. “He was delighted Kelly had stepped in to help and very grateful to her.”
As Cowell recuperates at home, his 6 year-old son Eric has put together a list of movies for them to watch together.
“Muppets Most Wanted was top of the list which they both love,” the friend said.
Cowell took to Twitter the day after the accident happened to make it clear that his sense of humor was still very much intact.
“Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time. I have broken part of my back,” he said. “Thank you to everyone for your kind messages. And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone.”
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