He is back with a bang on our screens tomorrow as Britain’s Got Talent returns after a year away due to the pandemic.
And Simon Cowell has vowed that viewers will be seeing a lot more of him for the foreseeable future — until he hits at least 65.
Speaking after ITV committed to the show until 2025 as part of a new deal, Simon confirmed he would remain on the panel and fly the flag for older stars.
He said: “I just say 65 is the new 40. When I was 40, I thought, ‘God, what am I going to do when I’m 60?’ And I’ve got to be honest with you, I kind of feel the same as I did then.
”Thank goodness, we can all look and feel a bit better. It’s all about energy.
“I’ve seen people at 50 look exhausted, terrible. Haven’t got it. And in reverse, I’ve seen people in their 80s who’ve still got it mentally, who look good, feel good and run marathons.”
That Simon, who is currently 62, is showing no sign of slowing down is remarkable given the events of the last couple of years.
He was left nearly paralysed after breaking his back in an e-bike accident in 2020 and some predicted that he would step away from show business altogether.
But talking ahead of the return of the talent shown, Simon was asked if he ever considered quitting altogether and pulling the plug on BGT.
“Oh god yes,” he said. “Anytime I think no one’s going to turn up any more or all the shows are going to get worse. Of course, I would do that.” But he claimed that having the year off energised both him and the show itself.
He added: “I do think that the gap definitely made a difference because it was feeling a little bit routine.
“We all appreciate everything that much more now.”
Key to Simon’s recovery from the accident was an overhaul of his diet, which has seen him drop a few stone.
He explained: “I’ve cut sugar, dairy, gluten. And, you know, that has made a difference. I’m back on my bike a lot now too, doing miles every day. And so it’s a combination of stuff, you know, gives you energy, makes you feel better.
“I looked at a picture of myself about four years ago, I mean, Christ.”
In the wake of BGT, ITV has introduced other Saturday night shows including The Masked Singer.
Some might question whether this new format might spell the end of the traditional talent show as we know it. But Simon disagreed. “No, I don’t believe that. When you don’t get good contestants, you might have a problem. That’s always my biggest concern – are they going to be interesting?
“But based on the auditions, I would have to say the opposite.
“When you have got something that works, just stick with it. And make sure you’ve got great people and stories. As long as you’ve got that, you’re right.
“Okay, if nobody watches the show this year, I might go, ‘We have a problem’. But I think people are looking forward to it.”
*Britain's Got Talent returns tomorrow on ITV
