Simon Cowell is now in recovery after a six hour surgery on his back following an accident on his new electric trail bike.

It has been revealed he is lucky not to be paralysed after breaking his back in three places after falling onto a concrete driveway.

Sources explained how Simon had a miraculously lucky escape as he missed injuring his spinal cord by just a centimetre.

They added: “He could have been looking at a life in a wheelchair.”

More details of the incident emerged on what led up to Simon’s accident.

On taking delivery of a new electric trail bike, Simon was testing his new wheels out on the driveway of his home in Malibu. Watched by his son Eric and Eric’s half brother Adam, Simon was shocked at the power of the bike. He accidentally pulled a wheelie and fell back onto the drive.

A source expanded on the incident saying: “He was testing out his new bike with Eric and Adam and the power of it surprised him a bit.”

“He fell back directly onto his back and immediately knew he was in trouble. He was in a bad way.”

Simon was rushed to Providence St. John hospital in Santa Monica where doctors operated that evening. They reportedly told the star he was ‘very lucky’ not be permanently paralysed.

Insiders revealed what a close call it was for Simon, saying: “It was a really, really bad fall — but he’s very lucky to have escaped with the injuries he has.

“Had he damaged the spinal cord he could have been looking at life in a wheelchair, but thanks to the doctors he is hopeful of making a full recovery.”

Simon himself took to social media on Sunday evening, thanking the doctors looking after him and warning others about the dangers of trail bikes!!

Simon does now have to wait to learn the extent of the damage to his back. It is almost certain he faces a lengthy stay in hospital and won’t be appearing on America’s Got Talent which resumes filming this week.

Those close to him hope he will suffer no lasting effects but say it could take “several weeks” before they know for sure.

A source added: “He’s only just out of surgery and feeling very groggy but is awake and upbeat.

“Everyone hopes he will make a full recovery but they don’t want to count their chickens just yet.”

“Ultimately he has had a very, very serious accident.

“He’s lucky to be even in the state he is in with a metal rod in his back and multiple breaks.

“It’ll be several weeks for the bruising and swelling to go down and then we’ll know how serious the lasting effects could be.”

Some of Simon’s showbiz pals have taken to social media to wish him well. Amanda Holden posted a throwback photo of them both at BGT and sent love to Simon and his family.

From the USA, Sofia Vegara tweeted “We miss our boss” as his fellow America’s Got Talent judges posted a photo of Simon’s empty chair as they resumed filming.

We would also like to wish Simon a very speedy recovery and look forward to him back on our screens very soon!