Amanda Holden shares her fear Simon Cowell would die from bike crash injuries

Amanda Holden feared Simon Cowell would die after he sustained serious injuries during a horror bike accident last month.

The 49-year-old Britain’s Got Talent star was woken in the middle of the night to a text message revealing her 60-year-old friend and colleague had been injured after falling off an electric bike.

Simon is said to be lucky not to have been left paralysed after broke his back during the shock accident at the beginning of August.

The star fractured his back in multiple places – and reportedly just one inch from his spine – while the fall almost robbed him of the ability to walk in future.

Explaining the moment she learned of Simon’s terrifying accident, Mandy told The Sun on Sunday: “I honestly panicked it could be fatal. It was gut-wrenching. I got a text in the night. I couldn’t sleep after.

“I felt physically sick as I didn’t know how bad it was.”

She added: “I wanted him to be alive, but I also wanted him to be able to walk as he’s such a good friend.”

It is believed Simon won’t feature in the final episodes of the 2020 series of BGT which have started airing again after months of hiatus caused by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Amanda raised hopes Simon could be involved, however, suggesting he could appear via Zoom from his home in LA where he is recovering from his injuries.

BGT made a triumphant return to screens on Saturday nigth.

Comedy performer Steve Royle became the first act to advance through to the grand final – which is due to take place on 10 October.

The 51-year-old expressed disbelief when all four judges – Amanda, Alesha Dixon, Ashley Banjo and David Walliams – declared him funny.

He gushed to hosts Ant and Dec: “I just – I’m very rarely – my wife and kids will tell you – that I am lost for words. I am lost for words. What can I say? I’m absolutely blown away. Four! All four judges thought I was funny. There you are.

“Just let my missus see that. I never, when I entered this way back when, last year, I never dreamt I would come to the semi-final and now the final. It’s both surreal and exciting. I am so unbelievably thrilled.”