Simon Cowell to Undergo Surgery Amid ‘America’s Got Talent’ Live Shows, Celeb Guests to Fill in as Judges

Simon Cowell will miss several weeks of America’s Got Talent ‘s live shows as he undergoes routine surgery on his back, Billboard can confirm.

In his place, a lineup of celebrity guests — which AGT is still in the process of booking — will reportedly take over his spot as he receives the procedure and recovers.

TMZ was the first to report the news.

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The competition show’s season 21 live quarterfinals kicked off Aug.

18 and will continue through Sept.

8.

The live semifinals will take place Sept.

15 with results airing the following day, after which the live finals will unfold on Sept.

22, followed by a live finale on Sept.

23.

Cowell’s upcoming surgery is possibly linked to his 2020 e-bike accident , which resulted in the music mogul needing a surgery that lasted several hours and involved the placement of a metal rod in his back.

“Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time,” he wrote on X shortly after the accident.

“I have broken part of my back.