Britain’s Got Talent fans baffled as Simon Cowell is absent after back injury

Britain’s Got Talent fans noticed Simon Cowell was MIA from the show’s judging panel on Saturday.

The ITV talent series has returned for another season but music mogul Simon is nowhere to be seen.

Some viewers at home were confused by his whereabouts until Twitter users reminded them he was in a serious bike crash last month.

It means Simon, who is on the road to recovery, is unable to take part in the show for the meantime.

Diversity star Ashley Banjo is taking the hotseat while Amanda Holden is replacing Simon as head judge.

One wrote on the social media site: “Huh?!? No, Simon?!? #BGT#BritainsGotTalent.”

“Wheres Simon?? #BGT ” a second asked.

While another person responded: “He fell off his bike.”

Meanwhile, others wished the head judge a speedy recovery.

“We hope you have a speedy recovery & we are praying for you. @SimonCowell,” a fan tweeted.

As another commented: “Watching @BGT So nice to see @antanddec on TV again.

“Weird there’s no audience there but nice that audience can watch virtually through video call showing on big screen.

“Wishing @SimonCowell a speedy recovery, I’m sure he’s watching from home too #BGT x”

Simon was hospitalised last month after falling off his electric bike and breaking his back in four places.

The 60-year-old underwent a six-hour operation to get him on his feet again following the freak accident.

Reports suggested he is “back up and walking and moving around again” faster than doctors predicted.

It’s believed he surrounded his bed with healing crystals to speed up his recovery.

With Heart Breakfast presenter Amanda replacing Simon for now, it’s unknown whether she’ll bring the same brutal judging style, or stick to her slightly kinder approach.

Speaking about her co-star on Lorraine yesterday, Amanda revealed he is thankfully getting better.

She told the host: “He is doing really well!

“One of the producers actually told me she’d had a conversation with him…he’s sounding really happy and healthy.

“We just want him to take the time to recover. You know what he’s like, he’s a workaholic!”

*Britain’s Got Talent airs Saturdays at 8pm on ITV.

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