I’ll watch my step in future, says Cowell after his fall downstairs

HE was forced to pull out of two X Factor live shows last autumn when he suffered his fall down the stairs at home. And Simon Cowell has discussed his health scare six months on from the incident, revealing he found it all ‘a bit embarrassing’ and blaming the accident on his relentless work schedule.

The 58-year-old TV mogul – who is set to return to our screens on Britain’s Got Talent tomorrow – said that he’s going into this year focused on leading a more balanced lifestyle and spending more time with his son Eric, four.

Speaking to Dan Wootton on yesterday’s edition of Lorraine on ITV, Simon discussed his ordeal, which he previously blamed on fainting due to ‘low blood pressure’.

He said: ‘I’m all right. In a weird way it was a wake-up call because it wasn’t the end of the world. It was a bit embarrassing...

‘I will never hear a bad word about the NHS. It’s like having an MOT, they do every possible test. I was probably overtired, to be honest.

‘I feel much better this year, I’m not having so many meetings or late night calls, it’s a bit more of a balance.’

The straight-talking star revealed he was prioritising his girlfriend Lauren Silverman and their young son Eric. He said: ‘I look at things through Eric’s eyes, I want to spend more time with him, luckily he loves the shows so he comes down all the time.’

Quizzed whether he’d like Eric to take over his music and television empire in future, Simon’s eyes lit up. ‘One million percent, I would love him to take over. He’s really confident! When he comes down he loves being in the gallery.’

The star also talked about the new series of BGT and his love/hate relationship with his fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and especially David Walliams.

Simon sighed: ‘I’ve learned one thing with David, don’t tell him to calm down. It’s like a red flag to a bull. You can’t stop him, he’s ten times worse. He’s always been unsackable.

‘The first time I ever sat down with him we actually had one of the worst meetings I’ve ever had... One year later he agreed to it. He and the show are a perfect match.’

Discussing the fan favourite lineup, Simon added: ‘All three of them are absolutely focused on the talent – but they’re hard work!’

Of Amanda and Alesha, he joked: ‘They’re both sloshed, don’t talk to each other off-camera – but that’s just the way it is!’