Simon Cowell’s temporary replacement has been announced for America’s Got Talent, as the entertainment mogul recovers from surgery.
Cowell, 66, stepped away from the reality TV show to undergo a routine back surgery, with a number of guest judges planned to fill in for him.
Comedian Kenan Thompson, 48, will take the first spot on Tuesday 1 September.
“A comedy legend is taking over the Judges’ table!” NBC announced on its America’s Got Talent Instagram account, alongside a photo of Thompson. “Kenan Thompson is joining AGT as a guest Judge! Don’t miss his guest appearance.”
Thompson will join judges Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara, as well as host Terry Crews, having previously done so during the live quarterfinals in 2020 when Cowell was also absent.
The Emmy-nominated comedian is known as a longtime castmember on Saturday Night Live, and for his sitcom Kenan and Kel with frequent collaborator Kel Mitchell.
This year he also had a role in Scary Movie, alongside co-stars Marlon Wayans, Anna Faris and Regina Hall.
Cowell has undergone a series of operations in recent years after breaking his back in an electric bike accident in 2020, which required six hours of surgery.
His injuries prevented him from appearing in the 2020 season of Britain’s Got Talent, when he was temporarily replaced by former winner Ashley Banjo.
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In 2022, Cowell told OK! magazine that he was lucky to survive the ordeal, commenting: “I didn’t talk about it too much at the time. I kept a lot back. It was a lot worse than people thought. I had a lot of long-term nerve damage as well.”
He admitted: “If there was one good thing about lockdown, it was that it gave me the time to heal because I wasn’t working on a TV show. I was able to walk a lot and strengthen my legs.”
That year, Cowell suffered another e-bike crash in which he was admitted to hospital with a broken arm, badly bruised cheek and possible concussion.
His injuries were less severe than the first accident, however, and he was released from hospital on the same day.
Further guest judges for America’s Got Talent are still to be announced.