Simon Cowell has withdrawn from filming the upcoming Blackpool auditions for Britain’s Got Talent in order to recover from surgery on his back
Simon has had to withdraw from the audition process
Simon Cowell has “withdrawn” from the auditions process for Britain’s Got Talent. The head judge has decided to step back from the programme’s audition round, which is filmed in Blackpool, to recover from back surgery.
The media mogul is set to be replaced by a “male comedian” who will join judges Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and YouTube creator KSI for the auditions. It’s also claimed that Fremantle, the production firm behind the ITV talent show, is planning to move around filming dates.
The proposed new dates are said to be in January, meaning that Simon will still be able to contribute as the head judge on the star-studded panel. The new series, which will celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary, is expected to air in Spring next year, with applications closing on October 16.
Most recently, Simon took time off from filming America’s Got Talent in Los Angeles, where he underwent surgery. It’s said that he is “gutted” to be missing the audition process.
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: “Simon is, of course, gutted to be missing the auditions, but it’s important that he rests up now so he can make a full recovery.
“It was a routine op that went well, and he knows the team will find a fun guest judge to spice up filming and keep the audience on their toes. The current thinking is that producers will choose a male comedian to stand in for now, but decisions are being made currently.”
The source went on to say that the news was “last-minute” and that “a lot of talent is already booked up” for the upcoming audition period. In recent years, Simon has undergone a string of procedures after breaking his back during an accident with an electric bike in 2020.
He previously revealed that he underwent six hours of surgery and was almost left in a wheelchair as a result of the horror crash that almost left him paralysed, just missing his spinal cord.
He was also treated for a concussion and a broken arm after the smash. The fall resulted in Simon having a metal rod put into his spine, amid multiple procedures and operations.
He said in 2023: “I was so close to living the rest of my life in a wheelchair. It gives you a completely different outlook on life. In a positive way.”
A year prior, he said that the injuries were “a lot worse than people thought”. He added: “If there was one good thing about lockdown, it was that it gave me the time to heal because I wasn’t working on a TV show. I was able to walk a lot and strengthen my legs.”
Last year, former X Factor star Stacey Solomon stepped in as a replacement for Simon after he was forced to pull out due to sickness. Simon said that he was a huge fan of Stacey and still remembered her first audition on The X Factor.
“I’ve seen what she’s done with her career and I’m really happy for her, she’s just a really nice person,” he said.
The Mirror approached Fremantle and Simon’s spokespeople for comment.
Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Threads.
