Simon Cowell proved he's as tough as old boots as he headed out for the first time after breaking his back.
The Britain's Got Talent boss has been dubbed "The Terminator" by impressed pals after bouncing back quickly from his six-hour spinal surgery.
The 60-year-old needed the operation after falling from his new electric bike and breaking his back, coming dangerously close to snapping his spinal cord and being paralysed.
Just weeks later, Simon is on the mend and was pictured being driven to hospital in LA for a check up.
A pal told The Sun : "One of his friends joked that the metal holding him together makes him The Terminator - which amused Simon.
"He won’t mind if that sticks, but the main thing is that he’s on the mend.
"The experts are pleased with how things are looking and he’s doing physiotherapy at home every day. It’s looking good."
The X Factor supremo came out of hospital last week and was said to be "in good spirits" despite the pain he was in.
Simon, who shares son Eric with partner Lauren Silverman, had to have a steel rod inserted in his back after he broke it in three places in the accident.
He later joked that he should have read the manual after testing out his new bike.
Simon is being replaced by former BGT star Ashley Banjo, who found fame on the show with his dance group Diversity, when it returns to screens.
But Simon is said to be keen to be back on the show, and wants to fly to London in October for the live final.
The insider added that he's working as quickly as possible to get his strength back, but is still being encouraged to rest for a while longer.
Simon has also been forced to miss the America's Got Talent live finals.
He's been replaced by Kelly Clarkson, but fellow judge Howie Mandel is hoping to see him back in his seat before the series ends.
He told E! News: "We didn't know what to expect. I knew that we could expect something spectacular because we have, I believe, the most talented crew in the world, in every possible department.
"We were a little bit in disarray because we were worried. We were worried about our friend, and our boss, and our leader, Simon Cowell, who we hear is doing spectacularly well, considering.
"The latest I've heard is that after a six hour operation, and some fused discs, and the rod put in his back, yesterday, he was up on his feet, already, he's already mobile! So, as I've been saying to a few other people, I wouldn't count out seeing Simon again before this season's end."
