Simon Cowell Is in 'Fantastic Health' Despite PausingBritain’s Got TalentFilming Due to Migraines: Source (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Simon Cowell.Photo:Trae Patton/NBCDespite recent reports thatSimon Cowellwas missing fromBritain’s Got Talentdue to a “mystery illness,” a source close to the 64-year-old talent judge tells PEOPLE that he is in “fantastic health” and still working.Two weeks ago, the English television personality left filming early around 9 p.m. due to a migraine, missing about 15 minutes and the final two auditions of the day, the source shares.“He was back filming the next morning and for the rest of the week and begins filming in Manchester today,” the source says.“He occasionally gets migraines from being under the bright filming lights for long stretches," the source explains. “His tinted glasses help a lot however, unfortunately he’s been prone to migraines and the filming lights are particularly bright.”The insider adds that any other reports of an “illness” or that Cowell “exited the show” are “maliciously exaggerated” and “complete nonsense.”“He’s in fantastic health, better than ever and great fitness too, is biking and walking a lot every day and has started reformer Pilates for strengthening his back,” the source tells PEOPLE. “All his friends are telling him to bring out a range of his own light-filtering glasses now to help others.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Cowell also addressed any health concerns onInstagram, posting a photo of himself wearing the orange-tinted glasses and comparing the look to the eyes of a fly.“I just found out, according to the internet, I have a ‘mystery illness.’  For anyone concerned, I missed two auditions at the end of one day, two weeks ago, because I do get migraines after long days in the filming lights,” he wrote.“Next week we are filmingBGTin Manchester - I look forward to seeing you then,” said theAmerican Idolalum. “PS. This is why I wear these glasses!”Cowell has been seen wearing the glasses for several months, first mentioning them to reporters in November while on the red carpet forAmerica’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.“Everything looks better,” he said while pointing to the glasses on his face and joking, “You look amazing! And you know what, it cuts out all the blue light on computers and iPads. I have lights in my face when I am filming so this cuts out a lot of that.”

Simon Cowell.Photo:Trae Patton/NBC

Trae Patton/NBC

Despite recent reports thatSimon Cowellwas missing fromBritain’s Got Talentdue to a “mystery illness,” a source close to the 64-year-old talent judge tells PEOPLE that he is in “fantastic health” and still working.Two weeks ago, the English television personality left filming early around 9 p.m. due to a migraine, missing about 15 minutes and the final two auditions of the day, the source shares.“He was back filming the next morning and for the rest of the week and begins filming in Manchester today,” the source says.“He occasionally gets migraines from being under the bright filming lights for long stretches," the source explains. “His tinted glasses help a lot however, unfortunately he’s been prone to migraines and the filming lights are particularly bright.”The insider adds that any other reports of an “illness” or that Cowell “exited the show” are “maliciously exaggerated” and “complete nonsense.”“He’s in fantastic health, better than ever and great fitness too, is biking and walking a lot every day and has started reformer Pilates for strengthening his back,” the source tells PEOPLE. “All his friends are telling him to bring out a range of his own light-filtering glasses now to help others.”Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Cowell also addressed any health concerns onInstagram, posting a photo of himself wearing the orange-tinted glasses and comparing the look to the eyes of a fly.“I just found out, according to the internet, I have a ‘mystery illness.’  For anyone concerned, I missed two auditions at the end of one day, two weeks ago, because I do get migraines after long days in the filming lights,” he wrote.“Next week we are filmingBGTin Manchester - I look forward to seeing you then,” said theAmerican Idolalum. “PS. This is why I wear these glasses!”Cowell has been seen wearing the glasses for several months, first mentioning them to reporters in November while on the red carpet forAmerica’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.“Everything looks better,” he said while pointing to the glasses on his face and joking, “You look amazing! And you know what, it cuts out all the blue light on computers and iPads. I have lights in my face when I am filming so this cuts out a lot of that.”

Despite recent reports thatSimon Cowellwas missing fromBritain’s Got Talentdue to a “mystery illness,” a source close to the 64-year-old talent judge tells PEOPLE that he is in “fantastic health” and still working.

Two weeks ago, the English television personality left filming early around 9 p.m. due to a migraine, missing about 15 minutes and the final two auditions of the day, the source shares.

“He was back filming the next morning and for the rest of the week and begins filming in Manchester today,” the source says.

“He occasionally gets migraines from being under the bright filming lights for long stretches," the source explains. “His tinted glasses help a lot however, unfortunately he’s been prone to migraines and the filming lights are particularly bright.”

The insider adds that any other reports of an “illness” or that Cowell “exited the show” are “maliciously exaggerated” and “complete nonsense.”

“He’s in fantastic health, better than ever and great fitness too, is biking and walking a lot every day and has started reformer Pilates for strengthening his back,” the source tells PEOPLE. “All his friends are telling him to bring out a range of his own light-filtering glasses now to help others.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Cowell also addressed any health concerns onInstagram, posting a photo of himself wearing the orange-tinted glasses and comparing the look to the eyes of a fly.

“I just found out, according to the internet, I have a ‘mystery illness.’  For anyone concerned, I missed two auditions at the end of one day, two weeks ago, because I do get migraines after long days in the filming lights,” he wrote.

“Next week we are filmingBGTin Manchester - I look forward to seeing you then,” said theAmerican Idolalum. “PS. This is why I wear these glasses!”

Cowell has been seen wearing the glasses for several months, first mentioning them to reporters in November while on the red carpet forAmerica’s Got Talent: Fantasy League.

“Everything looks better,” he said while pointing to the glasses on his face and joking, “You look amazing! And you know what, it cuts out all the blue light on computers and iPads. I have lights in my face when I am filming so this cuts out a lot of that.”

source: people.com