Simon Cowell is to make an incredible return to work in weeks – after racking up more than 40 miles a week in exercise.

A source said the star will be back filming America's Got Talent by the end of the month which comes just eight months after breaking his back.

A pal said his swift recovery was down in part to his walking regime which had seen him hit over 40miles a week – and he was no longer living a "vampire" lifestyle.

Instead, he was now often up and about holding business meetings at 9 am.

A pal said: "Simon said how he hasn't worn trainers as much as this in 20 years. He feels fitter than ever before and is keeping to a normal routine rather than being on the phone until into the early hours of the morning."

Simon Cowell is planning to return to work after breaking his back (

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NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Cowell said last month how the bike accident that broke his back "nearly smashed my spine to pieces"

The X Factor and Britain's Got Talent boss, 61, had six hours of emergency surgery last August following the accident.

He missed the finals of last year's series of BGT and has kept a low profile since.

The music mogul has been walking 40-miles a week after his accident

Speaking about the incident on US TV for the first time, Simon said: "It could have been a lot worse. When I saw the X-ray, I really nearly could have smashed my spine to pieces. So I literally wouldn't have been able to walk. I knew I'd broken my back the minute I landed. It was really kind of sudden and it hurt."

Reflecting on how the moment had changed his life, Simon said that without partner Lauren and son Eric's unwavering support and care he "couldn't have got through it". He insisted the accident had brought them closer as a family.

Simon added: "I've never been in this situation in my life where you literally can't move. The pain was off the charts. But you've got to stay positive.

Simon says he is thankful for partner Laura Silverman and son Eric for being there for him during his tough time (

Image:

A Davidson/SHM/REX/Shutterstock)

"I made a promise to myself I'd be fitter than I was before I had the accident. Sure enough, that's what happened." He said the worst part of his ordeal was the fear of "embarrassing" himself in front of his seven-year-old son Eric.

He said: "I was so embarrassed about coming home looking about 100, because I couldn't walk, and I have these metal rods in my back and these screws.

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"I said, 'Lauren, I just don't know how to explain it to Eric.'

Eric said you're Man,' and ' "She obviously said something to him because he came in. I was lying in bed and he said, 'Daddy, you're like Iron Man'.

"And I thought that was the sweetest thing and it meant a lot."

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