Simon Cowell Misses First Live ‘X Factor’ Season 14 Show Following Accident

Simon Cowell missed the first live show for “X Factor” Season 14 on Saturday after he fell down the stairs in his home on Friday.

The music mogul was spotted lying on a stretcher with a neck brace as he was transported to an ambulance and brought to a hospital. Hours later, Cowell returned home and gave the cameras thumbs up sign, according to Sky.

During the first live show on Saturday, “X Factor” host Dermot O’Leary confirmed that Cowell won’t be joining them that night since he is still recovering at home. He also said that Cowell will be watching the show from his television at home.

O’Leary also relayed the well wishes of Cowell’s co-judges, Nicole Scherzinger, Louis Walsh and Sharon Osbourne, who all want to see him back on the show soon, to him.

The host even joked about the trio planning a scheme to get Cowell out of the competition. But he later clarified that Scherzinger, Walsh and Osbourne did not have anything to do with Cowell’s fall.

A source told The Sun that Cowell wants to return to “X Factor” live show on Sunday since he has four acts competing on the show. However, doctors have yet to give him the go signal depending on his recovery. The same source claimed that the producer is in constant pain around his neck area.

“Simon is suffering from bad pains in his neck, and is still very shaken. He thought he may have broken his back, and he’s told friends it was the most scared he’s ever been in his life… We are expecting him to turn up on the show on Sunday. Provided he continues to improve, he will do everything he can to be there,” the source said.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, the female and male contestants performed live for Britain’s votes. Filipino singer Alisha Bonaobra was named as a wild card alongside previously eliminated male contestant, Leon Mallett. Towards the end of the episode, O’Leary announced that Walsh’s team member, Spencer Sutherland, will be going home.