This foreign born A list host has lung cancer.

Simon Cowell

Simon Cowell quits new on-air gig to work behind the scenes

Simon Cowell is stepping back from TV to spend more time with his family.

The Sun reports the TV superstar is scaling back his on-screen presence after two decades as one of the biggest faces on British and American television.

Cowell, who has been an ever-present lead judge on X Factor and Britain‘s Got Talent for 17 years, will be replaced by Gary Barlow for his widely hyped new UK show, Walk The Line.

The 62-year-old star will be heavily involved off-air as executive producer rather than appear on screen as originally planned.

Fifteen months on from having critical back surgery following a horror accident on an electric bike last year, the media mogul now wants to devote more time to partner Lauren and son Eric.

It brings to end an astonishing era of dominance of our telly screens – but Cowell is still determined to work on TV projects in the future, and is expected back on the next series of Britain’s Got Talent.

Last night Simon said: “This is a situation where I have decided it is right for me to focus on my role as the Creator and Producer as we build up to the hugely exciting launch.

“Gary’s musical pedigree is second to none – and we have known each other a long time now – so I am delighted he is picking up the baton for me for the first series of Walk The Line. I know he will do a fantastic job.” – Source

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