In July last year ITV said there were ‘no plans’ for another series of The X Factor.

Eric, who is named after Cowell’s late father, is his son with fiancee Lauren Silverman.

The music mogul said very few unestablished artists would have the opportunity to gain studio time with experienced songwriters ‘in the real world’

Simon Cowell has broken his back while testing his new electric bicycle at his home in California. Cowell was expected to have surgery on Saturday evening, according to a spokesperson for the entertainment mogul.