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Simon Cowell plans X Factor return tonight

Can the boss make it back?

If you watched The X Factor last night, you’ll have noticed that there was one important thing missing.

That’s right, it was Simon Cowell.

Read more: The truth behind Simon Cowell’s absence from last night’s X Factor

Mr X Factor himself was resting at home on doctor’s orders, having suffered a worrying fall on Friday morning.

The accident happened after Simon woke up feeling dizzy and went downstairs to his kitchen to heat some milk and try to get back to sleep.

As he went back upstairs to bed, he fainted and fell on the stairs where he was discovered by a member of his security team.

Paramedics attended the scene at his £12 million luxury five-bed detached west London home, and Simon was taken to Chelsea and Westminster Hospital wearing a neck brace.

Simon was discharged the same day, and returned home wearing a device to monitor his blood pressure.

“It’s been scary,” he said as he returned. “A shock to the system.”

“I’m feeling OK,” he said. “I fainted. I just had a bit of concussion.”

Simon was told to rest at home rather than attend The X Factor’s first live show, and host Dermot O’ Leary addressed Simon’s absence at the start of last night’s show.

“You may have spotted that one judge is missing,” said Dermot.

“Thats because Simon was taken to hospital yesterday, but he’s doing fine, he’s back home now, he’s watching the show or possibly Autumnwacth, who knows? He loves a badger.”

Dermot got serious for a second as he spoke directly to Simon at home.

“We do want to say, ‘Get well soon boss’ and we do want to see you fighting fit very soon,” he said.

Turning to the remaining judges, Sharon Osbourne, Louis Walsh and Nicole Sherzinger, Dermot couldn’t resist having a bit of fun.

“You’re loving it you three,” he joked.

“So, ‘fess up, the question the whole country wants to know the answer to, who put the banana skin at the top of the stairs?” he said, in reference to Simon’s fall.

Louis played along, saying: “Well, Dermot, I was boiling the milk downstairs, they were upstairs, so it was one of these two.”

Louis pointed to Sharon and Nicole either side of him and Dermot commented:

“It’s like Murder on the Orient Express,” he chuckled.  “You all have your motives!”

Nicole protested: “It was a team effort!”

Finally, Sharon joked: “I was in the library with the candlestick!”

However, even on the day of the fall, Simon had promised he’d be back soon.

“I will be back but I don’t know about tomorrow,” he said. “But I’m feeling OK.”

That promised return looks set to be tonight for the show’s second episode, and a source has told the Daily Mirror that Simon is raring to go.

“He’s been kept up to speed on everything to do with the show,” the source said.

“He hopes he’ll be fit to go ahead on Sunday but he’ll have to get medical advice.”

That won’t please Simon’s partner Lauren Silverman, who flew back from New York to be by his side as soon as she heard of his fall.

Read more: Simon Cowell delivers message to fans after ‘scary’ accident

The Mirror’s source described Lauren as ‘shocked’ and said that she’s making sure Simon is comfortable at home.

“She is very concerned,” the source said. “Doctors told Simon he must rest and Lauren is making sure he does.

“She’s caring for him at home like any loving partner would do and is really fussing over Simon – making sure he is comfortable, eating regularly and resting.”

Still, if Simon has made his mind up to return tonight, we’re not sure who can stop him!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor

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