Britain's Got Talent was back with a bang on ITV on Saturday night (April 17) and while they were filming auditions in Salford, hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly 'lost' the judges and ended up on Coronation Street. Ant and Dec found themselves wandering the world's most famous street, just across the bridge from The Lowry where Manchester auditions were based, as they tracked down judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli and Simon Cowell.
In a comical sketch for the popular ITV talent show, Ant asked "so where are they judges then?" and Dec admitted he'd installed a tracker on head judge Simon's phone. As they walked along with famous landmarks on the Trafford Wharf Road set in the backdrop, including The Kabin and Nick Tilsley's bistro, they literally bumped into Weathefield icon Sally Metcalfe, played by Sally Dynevor.
Looking shocked, she said "you're ..." and Ant cut in to finish her sentence: "Ant McPartlin, former rapper, current TV host and two time rear of the year award." Dec quickly butted in to say he was only "runner up." But Sally looked unimpressed as she corrected "you're stood on my foot" and walked off.
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The sketch, to kick off the second instalment on Sunday night, then cut to the judges sitting around a table at Roy's Rolls all dressed up ready for the auditions. They looked at home in Roy Cropper's cafe as Shona Platt brought over a plate of toast and pasta letters with just the letters 'BGT.' Simon approved: "Just how I like it."
Meanwhile, Ant and Dec continued their search as they were spotted outside the Rovers Return pub and ran into Kirk Sutherland. The pair asked if the judges were inside but looked stunned as Kirk replied: "Are you having a laugh? Next you'd be telling me Ant and Dec are coming." He added comically: "And anyway, where are your parents? children shouldn't be hanging around the pub."
The penny finally dropped for the presenters as they spotted "Simon Cowell's Rolls Royce outside Roy's Rolls" and laughed over the tongue twister. They exclaimed: "Hang on! Are we on Coronation Street?"
The fun video then cut back to the judges as Shona asked: "How was your breakfast love?" and she looked chuffed as Simon said his famous catchphrase: "I didn't like it, I loved it." Ant and Dec then burst through the door and cried: 'We're late for auditions guys! Go, go, go!" And Bruno joked: 'They are very bossy, I like it."
The show looks for the best talent act to perform at the Royal Variety Performance before members of the Royal Family and win £250,000. Some viewers complained of a 'new low' as the opening episode of the 16th series featured a man who performed wind tricks. 'Fartist' Ichikawa Koikuchi stunned fans by breaking wind to blow out the candles on a birthday cake.
He followed this by blowing out a dart with the aim of popping a balloon, as new judge Bruno held his head in his hands and rolled his eyes. Unfortunately for Ichikawa, he continued to miss and after a few failed attempts Simon got up to join him on stage and offer some moral support.
When this did the trick the pair hugged and a delighted Ichikawa was sent through to the next round with three yeses. Alesha said: "I actually really enjoyed it."
Amanda laughed at the thought of Ichikawa winning the show and him being introduced to King Charles at the Royal Variety Performance, saying: "May we proudly present the winner of Britain's Got Talent." Simon also granted a 'yes', saying: "I genuinely didn't have a clue and then I understood."
But @Schmiffy12 tweeted: "Has to be a new low for @ITV." And @KhakanQureshi complained: "At one time, this type of 'act' would never had got through. How low the depths of BGT has fallen. It really is a load of hot air!"
Dodgy_Doodles also said: "A new low for #bgt." @mindismovinglow grumbled: "And so a new low was reached #BGT #BritainsGotTalent." @killianhgore messaged: "I think you've just reached a new low #BGT #breakingwind." And they added: "Oh, you put him through. You've gone a little lower than low."
But other viewers were amused by the act. @MummyKate_85 wrote: "Can't believe I just witnessed a man fart into a tube, blow 3 party blowers then he's blown three candles out on a birthday cake, he's just after a number of attempts fired dart from a fart to pop a balloon. By the power of flatulence. I'd defo get the Golden Buzzer."
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno was given a warm welcome. However, it proved to be a chaotic start for the 67-year-old dancer and choreographer as he got to grips with how the show works.
Early in the first episode he pressed his red buzzer after nasal recorder player Mikko Rautiainen had already performed. "It's a no from me," he said, pressing the button which is only supposed to be used during the act as Simon explained: "You don't have to do that as well." "Explain the rules will you?" prompted Ant.
"He doesn't understand the rules yet," observed one member of the audience. "Have you ever watched this show?" asked Simon, and a laughing Amanda declared: "He's never watched the show."
Then Bruno slipped up again later on in the show as he activated his golden buzzer, which sends an act straight through to the live semi-finals, as young dance troupe Ghetto Kids were still performing. But it was a sweet moment as the children continued to dance and celebrate while showered in golden confetti.
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