‘Read the manual!’ Cowell’s advice after e-bike fall

X Factor boss tells fans ‘to read the manual’ after 6-hour surgery

SIMON COWELL issued some hard-learned advice from his hospital bed today, saying: “If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time.” The X Factor supremo, 60, confirmed he had broken his back falling from his new £3,000 e-bike in the courtyard of his home in Malibu, California, at the weekend. He underwent six hours of surgery on Saturday night to repair three vertebrae and insert a metal rod into his spine.

This morning he wrote on Twitter: “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. 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.”

Reports suggested Cowell came close to being paralysed in the fall, which is understood to have happened in front of his son Eric, six, and stepson Adam, 14.

His partner Lauren Silverman, 43, reportedly called the ambulance and has since been able to visit him in hospital.

A source told the Mirror: “Simon fell flat on his back and the doctors say the impact missed his spinal cord by about a centimetre and it could have been a lot, lot more serious.”

Shortly after the operation, his spokeswoman confirmed: “Simon has broken his back in a number of places in a fall whilst testing a new electric bike in the courtyard of his home in Malibu with his family.” She said he was taken to hospital, where he was operated on overnight, adding: “He’s doing fine, he’s under observation and is in the best possible hands.”

A number of friends of the star tweeted their best wishes, including his fellow Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, who wrote: “I’ve been thinking about my dear friend all day and luckily I’m able to write that he’s had his operation and he’s doing really well. My family and I wish you a speedy recovery and send you, Lauren and Eric all our love.”

Cowell had been due to start filming the first live America’s Got Talent show tomorrow at Universal Studios but is expected to have to cancel all work for at least a month.

The actress Sofia Vergara, who is a new addition to the judging panel, posted a photo to Instagram showing her, Howie Mandel and Heidi Klum on set during a rehearsal pointing to Cowell’s empty chair.

She wrote: “We miss our boss!! Come back fast @simoncowell!!”