Simon Cowell has reportedly pulled out of filming for the ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ Christmas show.
The 60-year-old music mogul broke his back last month after falling off his electric bike, and while he was said to be planning to shoot the festive special in October, he is not expected to be on the judging panel for the programme, due to the injury and further difficulties regarding coronavirus lockdown measures.
A source said: "Simon hoped he’d be well enough to fly from Los Angeles to the UK for the special show but he’s had to pull out.
"Plus, the new lockdown measures – and him having to fly two weeks before the show so he could quarantine in advance – made it even more difficult for him to make the journey."
Simon has already had to pull out of the current ‘BGT’ semi-finals because of his back injury, with Diversity dancer Ashley Banjo taking his place.
Ashley is expected to step in on the Christmas show, too.
The source added to The Sun newspaper: "Ashley stepped in for Simon during the pre-recorded semi-finals and was a hit with viewers so he was the first choice to step in again.
"Simon will of course be across the show and what happens on it but this is a massive blow for him as he adores ‘Britain’s Got Talent’."
Last month, it was reported Simon was hoping to fly to the UK to shoot the festive show.
A source said at the time: "Simon is a total workaholic and even an accident as nasty as his won’t keep him off for long. He’s been working from his home in Los Angeles since the accident happened and is in contact with his team.
"The plans for this one-off special of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ have been in the pipeline for months and he is convinced he will be well enough to take his place on the panel."
The ‘BGT’ semis have attracted some controversy after more than 24,000 people complained to Ofcom after Diversity performed a Black Lives Matter routine earlier this month – which narrated the death of George Floyd, among other recent events – and more than 1,900 complained to the communications regulator after judge Alesha Dixon wore a ‘BLM’ necklace on Saturday’s (19.09.20) show.