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Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell laughs off nearly fatal 2020 bike crash with cheeky joke-Emily Bashforth-Entertainment – Metro
It was actually no laughing matter.
Simon Cowell laughed off his almost fatal accident in the new series of Britain’s Got Talent (Picture: ITV)
Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell couldn’t resist a cheeky joke about his 2020 bike crash as the new series of the ITV talent show kicked off.
Simon returned to the panel along with Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, joined by newbie Bruno Tonioli, who replaced David Walliams.
One act that blew everyone away was Parkour Collective, a trio whose flips, twists, and daring dives had us all on the edge of our seats.
Speaking to the panel after their amazing performance, judge Alesha couldn’t help but bring up the obvious.
‘It must hurt if it goes wrong, right?’, she asked.
‘Actually, one of the first things you learn is how to fall safely’, one of the auditionees assured.
Referring to his own previous injury, Simon quipped: ‘You could’ve taught me that three years ago!’
His fellow judges and the audience were left in stitches, as Simon laughed off what was, actually, no laughing matter.
Three years ago, the talent show judge was involved in an almost fatal accident.
The media mogul, 63, was rushed to hospital after falling off his electric bike in Malibu, California, and had a metal rod inserted in his back.
Simon required six hours of extensive surgery, recently revealing the touch-and-go moment gave him a ‘completely different outlook’ on life.
Parkour Collective left us speechless with their risky tricks (Picture: ITV)
The group showed no fear (Picture: ITV)
The daring trio sailed through to the next round (Picture: ITV)
Simon was first on his feet to applaud (Picture: ITV)
In fact, he almost had to spend the rest of his days in a wheelchair.
Simon explained: ‘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.
‘It hurt — trust me — when it happened, but good things happened off the back of it.’
The X Factor creator continued to The Sun that he had overhauled his lifestyle, including ditching his heavy cigarette habit.
The TV judge was almost left in a wheelchair for life after his 2020 accident (Picture: Steve Granitz/WireImage)
He explained: There is that moment when something like this happens — a big accident — and you are lying there and you’re completely helpless. It’s the worst feeling in the world.
‘At that point you realise that health is more important than anything else.
‘So I’m trying to find whatever that perfect balance is. Now there has to be a cut-off.’
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Simon is now back on our screens and fighting fit, despite a second bike crash earlier this year in London leaving him with a broken arm and a suspected concussion.
Speaking to the MailOnline after the accident, he assured he was ‘ok’ and that he needed to ‘wear a helmet next time’, branding himself ‘a bit of a nutter’.
Britain’s Got Talent continues Sunday on ITV1 and ITVX.
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