Why does Simon Cowell wear red glasses on Britain’s Got Talent?

Sabrina Barr and Brooke Ivey Johnson

Published March 9, 2025 2:47pm Updated March 9, 2025 2:49pm

Simon Cowell wearing red glasses — This is the reason why Simon is always wearing those distinctive glasses (Picture: X/Simon Cowell)

Simon Cowell has revealed why he can be seen wearing red glasses on Britain’s Got Talent… for everyone who’s been wondering.

The auditions stage of the beloved show continued to air on ITV this week, with Simon and fellow judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli continuing their search for the next big thing in entertainment.

Most recently, auditioner Kranthi Drillman, who travelled from India to try out for the variety show, caused a stir with his dangerous act.

Simon was brought onto the stage and ordered to ‘stay completely still’ by a crew member as the contestant began smashing watermelons around Simon’s head.

Eventually, it all got a little too much; Bruno, Amanda, and Alesha all buzzed ‘no,’ with Simon urging the act to stop and asked for help from the crew.

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As the drama unfolded and fans worried for Simon, some also questioned why Simon, 64, was wearing shades despite being indoors.

It turns out there’s a good reason for the accessory – and it’s not just a style choice.

The media mogul explained that fans have previously pondered if he had a ‘mystery illness’ – so he wanted to set the record straight.

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He outlined that ‘after long days in the filming lights’ he can sometimes suffer from migraines.

‘For anyone concerned, I missed two auditions at the end of one day, two weeks ago, because I do get migraines after long days in the filming lights,’ he said in February of 2024.

‘Next week we are filming BGT in Manchester – I look forward to seeing you then. PS. This is why I wear these glasses!’

Poking fun at himself, Simon shared a picture on Instagram of himself wearing the red glasses and pulling a funny expression, and a second image of an insect with huge red eyes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C276ykFPRtJ/?img_index=1

One fan called Dawn commented in response: ‘I totally understand: I get migraines: so sickly painful and totally draining . Takes a while to recover . Get well soon 🔜. Take care of yourself Simon ! X.’

‘I hear ya…been a sufferer since ’86. Just a rotten disease. 🙏,’ Darcie added.

Rose wrote: ‘Aha! Thanks for answering why those glasses are that colour!’

Tara also shared: ‘Oh yes @simoncowell I said that to my husband. I did testing and have terrible light sensitivity. I do not like LED lights I can’t imagine at a taping.’

The Britain’s Got Talent judges are back (Picture: ITV)

The search for the best and brightest stars in the UK continues, despite Simon’s struggles with migraines, and it seems this season they may have found some real talent, with viewers convinced they’ve found their next big winner.

Supermarket worker Stacey Leadbetter, 31, took to the stage on last weekend with a rendition of the hit song Run, as released by Snow Patrol in 2004 and covered by X-Factor winner Leona Lewis in 2008.

Following the performance, fans rose to their feet with a chant of ‘press the buzzer,’ sending supermarket chicken roaster Stacey into floods of tears.

‘Says it all,’ Simon Cowell said, amid the chanting and rapturous applause from the audience.

Britain’s Got Talent returns on Saturday at 7.30pm on ITV1 and ITVX.

A version of this article was first published April 22, 2024.

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