Simon Cowell is rushed to hospital after fall in London

Simon Cowell is rushed to hospital after fall in London/2017



Simon Cowell is set to miss the first X Factor live show after falling down the stairs and getting a concussion - sparking 'panic' among contestants.



The star, 58, was stretchered out of his London mansion to hospital in a neck brace after the accident while going to get a cup of hot milk to help him fall asleep at around 7.30am today. 



He looked dazed as he arrived home at around 4pm looking slightly dishevelled in tracksuit bottoms and trainers - but left his laces trailing risking another fall.



Speaking at his front door he said: 'I fainted and fell down the stairs. I've got a bit of concussion. I feel better now.' He also thanked fans for their 'concern'.



The fall came just a day before the first live X-Factor show of the year on Saturday and confirming he may not well enough to appear he said: 'I will be back but I don't know about tomorrow'.



His partner Lauren was in New York with their son Eric but is flying back to London to be with him.



A source close to Mr Cowell later told The Sun: 'There were some rumours that Cheryl was going to step in for Simon but this isn't going to be the case.



'Simon is expected to be fine for Sunday's show, but right now he needs as much rest as possible – every one knows he's a workaholic and no one can stop him from returning.



'They'll switch the singers which means they'll be panic for some contestants but everyone totally understands.'



The X-Factor star is believed to have been going to the kitchen to get a hot drink when he fainted before clattering down the stairs.



The cause of his collapse is not yet known but in 2012 he reportedly told friends that running the X-Factor and his other TV talent show in the UK and America had left him with nervous exhaustion and living 'like a weird vampire' because of his globetrotting.





Representatives for Cowell and The X Factor have been asked to comment.



London Ambulance Service told MailOnline they couldn't comment on cases 'where patients could be identified'.



In July Simon missed part of the live auditions for his ITV talent show after being left in bed by a mystery illness.



Last June his partner Lauren was forced to step in as host at his own fundraising event in London because he was struck down with the flu.



In 2012 he collapsed from nervous exhaustion this summer after his workaholic lifestyle got the better of him.



The star was bedridden for weeks after doctors told him to rest, according to his updated biography.



It claimed the then 52-year-old admitted he was 'paralysed with tiredness' and his 'immune system was failing' because of his job.



In an updated version of his book Sweet Revenge: The Intimate Life Of Simon Cowell, biographer Tom Bower claims that the star had to halt filming of the US show as he began acting like a 'weird vampire', working through the night.



Doctors warned him to give up smoking, stop taking health supplements and give his body a break.



Cowell is claimed to have confided in X Factor judge Louis Walsh: 'I desperately need peace. I'm craving normality. I've got to work out my demons and come out of it.



'I have to get back to where I was years ago. I have to stop reading texts at three in the morning and making calls later and later.'



His enforced spell of rest meant he missed key promotional time with The X Factor's then US line-up, which included Britney Spears. 



In 2015 Simon was left with a black eye after he was headbutted by one of his acts.



He was almost knocked out by Anton Stephans when the exuberant singer planted a smacker on his lips upon discovering he was through to next week.



The painful kiss saw him in shock, clutching his nose in pain and looking utterly baffled by what had just occurred. Afterwards he was seen holding an ice pack to his face.