David Walliams is set to make light of Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell’s electric bike accident during the show’s Christmas special.
According to The Sun, fellow judge David, 49, will perform a skit where a puppet of Simon, 61, will crash a mini machine off the stage – four months after Simon broke his back in the shocking incident.
The comedy show, which will air on Christmas Day, will see David don a snowman costume and fly onto the famous stage with the Simon puppet in hand.
Much missed: David Walliams is set to make light of Britain’s Got Talent judge Simon Cowell’s electric bike accident during the show’s Christmas special (pictured January 2020)
He says: ‘Little Simon, be careful on your electric bike’ before placing the doll on a tiny bike which comically rides off stage.
A source told the website: ‘Thankfully Simon is very good at laughing at himself as he’s had the worst year.
‘Breaking your back in three places is not much fun at all. David is never one to miss a comedy trick. But he clearly misses Simon.’
MailOnline has contacted a BGT representative for comment.
Comedy segment: According to The Sun , fellow judge David, 49, will perform a skit where a puppet of Simon, 61, will crash a mini machine off the stage – four months after Simon broke his back in the shocking incident (pictured October 2020)
Simon has been replaced on the panel by Diversity judge Ashley Banjo once again, with the star joining David, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
Simon is in Barbados on his annual Christmas holiday with partner Lauren Silverman and son Eric as he continues his recovery.
In August, Simon was rushed to hospital to undergo six hours of surgery after breaking his back in an electric bike accident, forcing him to cancel all his planned TV work for the rest of the year.
It comes after sources claimed last week that Simon was considering legal action against the manufacturers of his electric bike after breaking his back.
In good spirits: The comedy show, which will air on Christmas Day, will see David don a snowman costume and fly onto the famous stage with the Simon puppet in hand
The TV mogul and his team are said to be ‘weighing up’ legal options and have been ‘pressing’ the manufacturers, Swindon Powertrain.
One lawyer claimed that a successful lawsuit could see Simon get up to £10million for medical bills and loss of earnings, The Sun reported.
It comes as a whistleblower from the manufacturers reportedly claimed the £20,000 electric bike an ‘accident waiting to happen’ due to Simon’s lack of training.
He told the publication: ‘It should never have been sold to Simon without him being taught how to use it.’
The former employee claimed the Swind EB-01 bike, which can reach up to 60mph and is banned on public roads in the UK, should not be used without specialist training.
The source continued: ‘I said to my boss, ‘Are you showing Simon how to use this?’ He said he was just dropping it off and I said, ‘Are you serious?”’
The X Factor boss’ team are studying the claims made by the former employee and are ‘pressing the manufacturers’ about the safety of the bike.
Line-up: Simon has been replaced on the panel by Diversity judge Ashley Banjo once again, with the star joining David, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon
A spokesperson for Simon told MailOnline: ‘Simon is understandably extremely concerned for other peoples’ safety in relation to this bike.
‘We have been pressing the manufacturers about this and will continue to press them, including in relation to the claims of the former member of staff.’
A spokesperson for Manufacturers Swindon Powertrain told MailOnline: ‘With any device, it is important to read the user manual before attempting to operate, acknowledged by Mr Cowell himself.
‘The EB-01 user manual includes a detailed process of how to familiarise oneself with the performance features and procedures to follow.’
They added that they are ‘in contact with Mr Cowell’s aides to progress this’, noting, ‘the company has acted in good faith at all times.’
Simon broke his back in August after falling from his electric bike, leaving him forced to undergo a six-hour surgery to try and fix the injuries.
The accident occurred when the powerful machine ‘flew up in the air and did an accidental wheelie’ after he tried to change gears.
The music boss is thought to have been ‘surprised by the power’ of the bike and knew immediately that he ‘was in trouble’.
Road to recovery: Simon is in Barbados on his annual Christmas holiday with partner Lauren Silverman and son Eric as he continues his recovery (pictured this week)
Following the accident, Simon tweeted: ‘Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time.’
He went on: ‘I have broken part of my back. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages.’
He then added in a second tweet: ‘And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever met. Stay safe everyone Simon.’
His recent injuries and ongoing recovery saw him sit out of the resumed 2020 series of Britain’s Got Talent after it returned following England’s first lockdown.
But earlier this week Simon’s BGT colleague Amanda Holden confirmed he’d be back to work filming the new series in January, telling the Loose Women panel: ‘He is, Mr Cowell is coming back. I spoke to him on the phone a few weeks ago and he feels on top of the world and apparently he looks fantastic as well.
‘So he’ll be back for the new season which we’re filming in January. I can’t wait for it.’
In October it was reported Simon could be out of action for up to six months, as even after surgery the back injury left him ‘in agony.’
Ouch! The music mogul was hospitalised in August and underwent six-hour surgery after breaking his back (pictured in April)
A source told MailOnline: ‘Simon was advised not to fly back to the final by doctors. He is walking a lot and swimming and feeling great – but focusing on being on top form for the start of filming for Britain’s Got Talent 2021 in January.’
Another source told The Sun: ‘He is building up his strength but the recovery is taking longer than we hoped. It was a very serious injury and they didn’t fully appreciate that at first. There was initial euphoria that he was all right, when he felt that he had come through it by a miracle. Then came the pain.
‘He had about six weeks of agony. By early September, it was obvious that he wasn’t going to be ready to physically travel at all for work. He was on high-strength painkillers but he isn’t any more. He also doesn’t have a live-in nurse any more.
Shocking: Sources claimed last week that Simon considering legal action against the manufacturers of his electric bike after breaking his back
‘Progress has been made since and he had a three-hour meeting via his iPad this week. He could not have managed that six weeks ago. He is building up his strength.’
Despite the alleged complications, the music executive appears to be keeping his spirits up with pal Sinitta, 51, giving an update on his progress at the end of September.
Speaking to Entertainment Daily, the musician said: ‘It was a serious accident. So for people who love him, like me, it was very, very scary.
‘He’s taken some steps, so he has reassured himself that he’s not paralysed. But he’s got to take his time and get well.’
The former singer also recently told how Simon had gained weight and taken a break from his vegan diet to help recover from surgery on his broken back.
Sinitta claimed Simon. who had shed 60 pounds after changing his lifestyle last year, has returned to eating calcium and has upped his protein intake in a bid to ‘rebuild his strength’.
She told The Sun: ‘I spoke to him last week and he sounded so much better. He wasn’t dazed, sedated or weak. He was really bright, happy and clear. He’s gained a bit of weight and is looking healthier….
‘He said he had to start eating protein, calcium and break his vegan diet to rebuild his strength.
‘That’s the wisest thing. He was bloated and stressed, then he was too thin and exhausted. Now he is fit and relaxed. He’s found his sweet spot. He sounds relieved and exhilarated. The sea air is so healing and rejuvenating.’
Concerns: A whistleblower from the manufacturers reportedly claimed the Swind EB-01 electric bike was an ‘accident waiting to happen’ due to Simon’s lack of training (stock image)