Simon Cowell says he’s ‘lucky’ he broke his back as he didn’t catch coronavirus

Simon Cowell said he was “lucky” that he broke his back as he claimed it meant he avoided catching Covid-19.

The talent show judge thinks it was ultimately a “good thing” that he broke his back because it stopped him travelling and thus lowered his risk of catching the deadly virus.

Simon was nearly left paralysed after an accident on an electric bike at his Malibu home last year.

Simon said ahead of the news series of America’s Got Talent: “I was a millimetre away from just cutting my back in half. So I consider myself lucky.”

The mogul continued: “Weirdly, it was a good thing that it happened. I didn’t get Covid because I wasn’t able to travel and I probably would’ve done my fair share last year.”

In the horrific accident, Simon fell backwards and hit a concrete floor, breaking three vertebrae and missing his spinal cord by only one centimetre.

The terrifying accident happened in front of his son Eric, partner Lauren Silverman and her teenage son Adam from a previous relationship.

Simon was rushed to Providence Saint John’s hospital in Santa Monica where he underwent serious surgery.

He wrote about the incident on Twitter at the time, warning followers: “Some good advice…If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time.”

Simon continued: “I have broken part of my back. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages..”

He added: “And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone.”

Luckily the horrifying accident hasn’t put Simon off getting back into the saddle, as he was pictured riding through the streets of West London earlier this month.

The Syco boss’ show The X Factor has recently come under fire for the treatment of its acts, with Cher Lloyd accusing the show of “exploiting” her.

X Factor runner-up Rebecca Ferguson has recently demanded a parliamentary inquiry into the music industry to better protect artists.

Jedward went on a Twitter tirade against Cowell last month, calling him “nothing but a bad facelift” and said that their biggest regret in life was not telling the talent show judges to “f*** off”.