Simon Cowell is recovering well posting an update on social media

Simon Cowell underwent 6 hours of surgery after breaking his back in several places.

However, his injuries could have been much worse a close friend told The Mirror: 'Although his back was broken in several places and it was very serious, he narrowly missed breaking his spinal cord “by a centimetre” which would may have meant he was unable to walk again.'

Simon was riding his new electric bike at his Malibu home when he had the fall.

A source said: "He instantly realised that he had injured his back and a distraught Miss Silverman called for an ambulance.

‘He was in shock and enormous amounts of pain.’

Sources say he did not lose consciousness after the fall and was able to chat from his hospital bed – even asking for his iPad before surgery in order to keep up with messages and emails.

Yesterday afternoon he was in recovery, awake and doing well. Lauren has been waiting outside hospital, mostly in the car, diue to Covid-19 restrictions, but was allowed to see him briefly before surgery.

Simon tweeted an update about the accident saying '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.'

He then thanked his medical team 'And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone Simon.'

Simon was due back on set at America's Got Talent yesterday. Sofia Vergara and Heidi Klum, have both shared photos and videos from the Universal Studios stage on Instagram, showing Simon's empty chair.