A difficult 12-months appeared to be forgotten on Thursday as Simon Cowell ventured out close to his London home. 

The X Factor judge appeared to have a spring in his step after joining his close friend, TV executive Danny Cohen, for a stroll as he continues his recovery after breaking several vertebrae in his back. 

Offering a beaming smile, Cowell, 61, made the most of warmer temperatures by sporting a pair of white shorts and trainers, teamed with a quilted black jacket.

Upbeat: A difficult 12-months appeared to be forgotten on Thursday as Simon Cowell ventured out close to his London home

The music mogul, who has lost more than 20 pounds in weight after embracing a vegan diet, was making his latest appearance in London after returning to the UK from the United States, where he owns a second home in southern California. 

Cowell has been making good progress after undergoing surgery to have a rod inserted in his back following a bike accident outside the Malibu property in August 2020. 

He was with his girlfriend Lauren Silverman, their son Eric, seven, and her son from a previous relationship at the time of the accident, according to ABC News.

In good company: The X Factor judge appeared to have a spring in his step after joining TV executive Danny Cohen for a stroll

Appropriate attire: Cowell made the most of warmer temperatures by sporting a pair of white shorts and trainers, teamed with a quilted black jacket

On the mend: Cowell has been making good progress after undergoing surgery to have a rod inserted in his back following a bike accident outside the Malibu property in August 2020 

Because of his injuries, the record executive was forced to miss out on the return of his series America’s Got Talent.

In October, The Sun reported that Simon had taken a turn for the worse that would delay his recovery significantly.

He suffered complications from surgery to fuse two vertebrae, which required him to mostly stay in bed for six months.

Step by step: Cowell has been making good progress after undergoing surgery to have a rod inserted in his back following a bike accident outside the Malibu property in August 2020 

At the time, he was reported to be on heavy painkillers and was too unwell to even record short promos for America’s Got Talent from home.

However, he was still able to walk a bit around his home garden and to do some light physical therapy in a pool.

But by February of this year, Simon said he was doing considerably better and seemed to be in high spirits.

Let’s talk: He appeared to be in a buoyant mood while chatting to Danny Cohen during his latest appearance in London on Thursday 

He was at least doing well enough after the accident to share a short message on his social media accounts.

‘Some good advice… If you buy an electric trail bike, read the manual before you ride it for the first time,’ he wrote.

‘I have broken part of my back. Thank you to everyone for your kind messages. And a massive thank you to all the nurses and doctors. Some of the nicest people I have ever me.’

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Simon Cowell, 61, flashes a beaming smile as he steps out for a stroll after breaking his back

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