Syco Entertainment chief and “America’s Got Talent” judge Simon Cowell was hospitalized on Saturday after breaking his back in a biking accident in Malibu.
According to the Associated Press, Cowell injured himself as he was testing a new electric bicycle at his home in Malibu, Calif. He reportedly fell off the bike in the courtyard of his home, resulting in a broken back. He had been taken to a hospital was said to be under observation and doing fine, a spokesperson told the AP. A surgery for him was scheduled for Saturday night. The extent of his injuries is unknown.
Cowell is a music and TV entrepreneur best known as the creator and a judge on NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” He came to fame in the U.S. in the early 2000s as a judge on Fox’s “American Idol.” Cowell is also behind the global editions of the “Got Talent” format as well as another competition series, “The X Factor.”
Through his various TV shows, he’s helped kickstart the careers of several artists, most notably the boy band One Direction and singer Susan Boyle. In the upcoming season of “America’s Got Talent,” he’ll be joined by fellow judges Heidi Klum, Sofia Vergara, Howie Mandel and host Terry Crews.
Cowell has been under fire in recent months after former “America’s Got Talent” judge Gabrielle Union accused him of inappropriate actions while she worked on the show. In July, Syco took full control of the television and music joint venture that Cowell launched in 2009.