Britain’s Got Talent boss Simon Cowell has broken his silence after pulling out of the show’s auditions at the last minute earlier this month.
On October 2, ITV confirmed that the first BGT auditions of the 2026 series would be postponed due to “unforeseen circumstances”. Later, it was revealed that the auditions would resume the following day, with Stacey Solomon replacing Simon. The TV star previously found fame on Simon’s show The X Factor in 2009.
A Britain’s Got Talent spokesperson said at the time: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, today’s filming of Britain’s Got Talent has been postponed.”
Concerns for Simon Cowell as Britain’s Got Talent auditions cancelled
Reports then emerged claiming that BGT boss Simon Cowell, 66, was under the weather. A source alleged: “Simon felt unwell in the last 24 hours. Judges often miss the odd audition because they don’t feel great – Simon, for example, has long suffered with migraines.
“But it was decided, as this was the first audition of the series, it was best to postpone – so we could launch with everyone on the panel. He’s on the mend now – and hoping to be fighting fit for tomorrow.”
Simon Cowell suffers from photophobia
The BGT boss previously revealed that he suffers with photophobia, or acute light sensitivity, which can bring on migraines. And that’s why he wears his now-famous red glasses on the show. “The red glasses are because I have lights in my eyes all day long and it’s like a laser and I get migraines and that’s like a filter. They actually do work,” he said.
He also missed some of the 2024 auditions due to ill health. At the time, he told concerned fans: “For anyone concerned, I missed two auditions at the end of one day, two weeks ago, because I do get migraines after long days in the filming lights. Next week we are filming BGT in Manchester – I look forward to seeing you then. PS. This is why I wear these glasses!”
However, after he was seen with a nasty cut on his face, Simon’s migraines were ruled out. And he’s now shared what really caused him to pull out of the shows.
Simon Cowell breaks silence
According to The Sun, Simon spoke about his absence while filming the BGT auditions in Blackpool yesterday (October 16). His admission came when a choir made up of ambulance workers came on stage.
Amanda Holden said to him: “I thought they might be here in case anything went wrong with you again because you were poorly last week.”
He told her: “I fell down some steps, that wasn’t poorly, and I bumped my head. But I’m fine now.” Speaking to the choir, he added: “I wish you had been around a couple of weeks ago when I actually bashed my head. Seriously – no one sang for me then!”
A source claimed that Simon “bumped his head when he stumbled on some steps”. They added that it’s the “sort of thing that can happen to anyone” The BGT boss is said to be “absolutely fine now”.
The new series of BGT starts on ITV in the New Year.
Read more: Simon Cowell on his ‘dark time’ amid ‘mental exhaustion’
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