As the new series of Britain’s Got Talent premiered on ITV, judge Simon Cowell couldn’t help but crack a sly joke about his 2020 bike incident.
Simon, Amanda Holden, and Alesha Dixon returned to the panel, joined by newcomer Bruno Tonioli, who replaced David Walliams.
Parkour Collective, a trio whose flips, twists, and daring dives had us all on the edge of our seats, was one performance that blew everyone away.
After their incredible performance, judge Alesha couldn’t help but bring out the obvious.
‘It must hurt if it goes wrong, right?’, she asked.
‘Actually, one of the first things you learn is how to fall safely’, one of the auditionees assured.
Referring to his own previous injury, Simon quipped: ‘You could’ve taught me that three years ago!’
Simon’s colleagues judges and the crowd were in stitches as he laughed off what should not have been funny.
The talent show judge was engaged in a near-fatal accident three years ago.
After falling off his electric bike in Malibu, California, the media magnate, 63, was transported to the hospital and had a metal rod placed in his back.
Simon needed six hours of intensive surgery and recently said that the close call gave him a ‘totally different view’ on life.
In fact, he was on the verge of having to spend the remainder of his days in a wheelchair.
Simon explained: ‘I was so close to living the rest of my life in a wheelchair.
‘It gives you a completely different outlook on life. In a positive way.
‘It hurt — trust me — when it happened, but good things happened off the back of it.’
The X Factor creator continued to The Sun that he had overhauled his lifestyle, including ditching his heavy cigarette habit.
He explained: There is that moment when something like this happens — a big accident — and you are lying there and you’re completely helpless. It’s the worst feeling in the world.
‘At that point you realise that health is more important than anything else.
‘So I’m trying to find whatever that perfect balance is. Now there has to be a cut-off.’
Despite a second bike collision earlier this year in London that left him with a fractured arm and a possible concussion, Simon is back on our screens and fighting fit.
After the mishap, he told the MailOnline that he was ‘OK’ and that he should ‘wear a helmet next time,’ dubbing himself a ‘bit of a nutty’.
Britain’s Got Talent continues Sunday on ITV1 and ITVX.