Simon Cowell makes joke about crash that nearly killed him in 2020 in new BGT series

Simon Cowell made a joke about the 2020 bike crash that left him in hospital as this year’s series of Britain’s Got Talent got underway.

Cowell was reunited with hosts Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon as well as BGT newcomer Bruno Tonioli, who has stepped in to replace David Walliams who left the show last year.

During the episode, super-energetic act Parkour Collective wowed the audience and the judges with their impressive display of urban gymnastics - even earning themselves a standing ovation from Cowell and Tonioli.

Speaking to the trio after their performance, Dixon asked: “It must hurt if it goes wrong, right?”

But the BGT hopeful reassured her: "Actually, one of the first things you learn is how to fall safely.”

At this point, Cowell chipped in to say “You could’ve taught me that three years ago!”

His quick-witted quip prompted laughter from the audience and judges, but his injury was actually incredibly serious.

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Cowell fell from off his electric bike at his home in Malibu, and had to be rushed for hospital for surgery.

In a statement at the time, his rep told People: "Simon has broken his back and will be having surgery this evening."

The rep continued: "Simon had a fall from his bike on Saturday afternoon whilst testing his new electric bike in the courtyard at his house in Malibu with his family.

"He hurt his back and was taken to the hospital. He's doing fine, he's under observation and is in the best possible hands."

The incident left him requiring six hours of surgery and a metal rod had to be inserted into his back.

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Speaking afterwards he said: “Sometimes we get a reminder that we’re not invincible and this was certainly mine. It was a huge shock.”

However, it certainly didn’t put him off bikes and he’s previously revealed he does ‘ten miles’ a day.

He told ExtraTV: “My most creative time is now when I cycle, because I cycle even though it's an e-bike. I still got to pedal and I do about ten miles a day… even though I had an accident on one.

“That was more an electric motorbike - these are called pedal-assist bikes and they're brilliant.”

In an interview with Sun, he also shared that the accident had inspired him to give his life a healthy overhaul, which included packing in smoking.

Speaking at the time, he said it had shown him that ‘health is more important than anything else’.