The entertainment industry figure will be absent from the NBC primetime competition series following a decade-long association while he prepares for and recuperates from scheduled spinal surgery.
The programme confirmed that routine medical intervention would necessitate his temporary departure from the judging panel.
Kenan Thompson, the acclaimed comic performer and established Saturday Night Live alumnus, has been appointed to occupy the vacant seat during his recovery period.
The Emmy-nominated entertainer brings considerable experience to the role, having previously served as a guest judge when Cowell was unavailable in 2020.
The American broadcaster announced that Thompson would feature alongside existing panellists Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel and Sofia Vergara starting from the first day of September.
Further guest judges are expected to be introduced throughout Cowell’s convalescence to maintain the judging complement.
Cowell, who maintains residences in Oxfordshire and the Cotswolds region, originally entered the programme following Howard Stern’s exit.
As the original architect and executive producer of the broader Got Talent franchise, he has maintained prominent involvement across multiple international television talent competitions, including The X Factor and its British counterpart.
NBC has yet to specify an anticipated return date for the music industry figure, though additional temporary panellists are set to be unveiled as the season progresses.