Simon Cowell recalls how 'BGT' officials saved his life when he thought contestant was trying to kill him
LONDON, ENGLAND: Simon Cowell has recalled how 'Britain's Got Talent' health and safety officials "saved his life" following a horrifying incident that left the 65-year-old in shock during the 2025 series' production.
In a recent interview, Cowell admitted that he was terrified for his life when filming 'Britain's Got Talent' as he tried not to twitch while a man wearing a blindfold and brandishing a mallet attacked a watermelon near his head, OK! Magazine reported.
Simon Cowell thought 'Britain's Got Talent' participant was trying to kill him
Simon Cowell has acknowledged that the upcoming season of 'Britain's Got Talent' would probably face criticism due to its shocking auditions, including one by American performer Auzzy Blood.
The TV judge, who is returning for the 18th season of the ITV talent show, described a harrowing audition where he lay on the ground with a blindfolded man whacking watermelons next to his head.
"It’s that feeling when you kind of think somebody doesn't want you on the show anymore. It was that. It was the closest, genuinely, where I'm thinking, 'They actually want to kill me,'" Cowell told reporters on a press day for the next season.
"And I swear to God, that's how I felt because this guy got really nervous and he'd slipped and was shaking as he was smashing these watermelons," the father-of-one added.
The star claimed that the health and safety team "saved" his life when they interrupted the audition. "Thank God, they saved my life," Cowell exclaimed.
The 'American Idol' alum added, "When you’re up there, you’re immersed in it and then you go home and think, ‘that s*** is dark; I nearly got killed twelve times.'"
"Even with St John's Ambulance — I don't know what they would've done — but in the wings, it was so precarious because it was melon they were smashing, so the water was everywhere," judge Amanda Holden, 53, said.
"Any kind of safety that there must have been was out the window. It was very hard to watch," she added.
Fellow judge Alesha Dixon, 46, had similar sentiments, saying, "We were genuinely worried. I realized how much I cared about you, Simon!"
"Please don't do that again. It is funny, though, the hardest acts to watch end up being the most entertaining to watch back," she pleaded.
The fruit-crusher is only one of many odd and weird performers that will be featured in the forthcoming 18th season.
Simon Cowell describes horrifying 'BGT' act that 'will probably get some complaints'
The 65-year-old TV personality revealed that the show will probably face complaints from TV watchdogs regarding an audition by American performer Auzzy Blood—who pulls himself over the stage by putting a chain through his mouth and nose, attached to a meat hook.
The judges acknowledged that there might be objections due to the graphic visuals. "Let's hope so. Because I've kept fully dressed and covered up, so we're praying for Ofcom," Holden said, alluding to earlier criticism of her skimpy attire.
Despite the possibility of receiving complaints, Cowell was confident that his 10-year-old son Eric would find it entertaining. "We do have kids in the audience, and I'm always looking behind going, 'Do they like it?’ And actually, yeah, they do," he said.
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"But we probably will get some complaints. I love it when they say ‘don't try this at home’ like we've all got screws and things just waiting to do that," he added.
"It got to a millimeter away - it’s close, but not quite," Cowell insisted, denying that he had truly consumed any of the wine passing through Auzzy Blood's nasal tube into his mouth, according to The Mirror.
Guest judge KSI, a singer, boxer, and YouTuber with 80 million subscribers, exclaimed, "The guy with the screws. What the hell? It was ridiculous. I can't believe you drank from his face. I would've thrown up."
However, judge Dixon insisted, "I found that fantastic to watch. It's entertaining. It's funny. And I do think all our kids will love that," defending the performance.
