Simon Cowell quits TV, replaced by Gary Barlow on Walk the Line

0


Fifteen months on from his horror accident, the music mogul has made the sudden decision to step out of the limelight.

Simon Cowell is stepping back from TV to spend more time with his family.

The Sun reports the TV superstar is scaling back his on-screen presence after two decades as one of the biggest faces on British and American television.

Cowell, who has been an ever-present lead judge on X Factor and Britain‘s Got Talent for 17 years, will be replaced by Gary Barlow for his widely hyped new UK show, Walk The Line.

The 62-year-old star will be heavily involved off-air as executive producer rather than appear on screen as originally planned.

Fifteen months on from having critical back surgery following a horror accident on an electric bike last year, the media mogul now wants to devote more time to partner Lauren and son Eric.

It brings to end an astonishing era of dominance of our telly screens – but Cowell is still determined to work on TV projects in the future, and is expected back on the next series of Britain’s Got Talent.

Last night Simon said: “This is a situation where I have decided it is right for me to focus on my role as the Creator and Producer as we build up to the hugely exciting launch.

“Gary’s musical pedigree is second to none – and we have known each other a long time now – so I am delighted he is picking up the baton for me for the first series of Walk The Line. I know he will do a fantastic job.”

The former Take That frontman previously worked with Simon on the UK version of the X Factor.

The popular tycoon’s decision to stand down comes following a terrifying E bike accident in which he broke his back – and was almost paralysed for life.

Simon, who has overhauled his once “showbiz” lifestyle since the birth of his beloved son Eric, 7, was treated by round the clock carers as he battled to walk again.

Since then he has kept a largely low profile.

His decision to work off-camera comes after he stepped back from duties Stateside last year.

The star was replaced on America’s Got Talent following his accident, as he recuperated at home in Los Angeles.

Last night a source close to Simon said: “Everyone at ITV and within Camp Cowell is massively excited about this new project.

“It has all the ingredients to be a huge hit. As you can imagine, workaholic Simon has been massively involved from the word ‘go’.

“But given all the upheavals of the past year or so, what with lockdown and his health, he’s decided now is not the time to be front of camera.

Family man

“He’s just finished an exceptionally busy period filming which saw him spending an extended period of time away from home, so he also wants to devote more time to his family in the coming weeks.

“Clearly Simon has nothing to prove and doesn’t seek celebrity status; even after a quieter couple of years by his standards, he still gets recognised everywhere he goes.

“So the last thing he needs is for all that to be ramped-up again once this show runs on primetime telly.

“Just as he did in 2006 for the inaugural AGT launch, Simon wants help steer the ship from behind the scenes so he can ensure the series runs to his exacting demands.”

Simon personally phoned Gary to ask him to get involved and secure the deal.

In an official statement yesterday, Gary added: “When Simon calls it’s usually with something fairly extraordinary.

“I’m so excited to be involved in a brand new TV show, and of course my favourite part of Walk the Line is discovering new talent.”

Meanwhile ITV publicly backed Simon’s decision, saying: “We are delighted that Gary has decided to join the Walk The Line family and we understand and support Simon’s decision to focus on his role as producer and creator for this debut series.”

This story originally appeared on The Sun and is republished here with permission.

Originally published as Simon Cowell quits new on-air gig to work behind the scenes



Source link

Denial of responsibility! Planetconcerns is an automatic aggregator around the global media. All the content are available free on Internet. We have just arranged it in one platform for educational purpose only. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, all materials to their authors. If you are the owner of the content and do not want us to publish your materials on our website, please contact us by email – [email protected]. The content will be deleted within 24 hours.

Leave a comment