Britain’s Got Talent has shared the first details of its upcoming Christmas special on ITV, which will see the talent show pit the world’s best magicians against one another.
The long-running ITV show hopes to find The Ultimate Magician among the mesmerising acts set to take the stage in a one-off spectacular.
The Christmas special will include magicians familiar to fans as acts from previous instalments on the show have been invited back to compete to win a £50,000 cash prize.
However, the show is set to look slightly different as beloved hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly will be absent, with Stephen Mulhern stepping into their shoes.
Meanwhile on the judging panel, Simon Cowell will similarly miss the special due to filming commitments in the US, but keeping his seat on the judging panel warm is magician Penn Jillette.
The BAFTA and Olivier nominated star will be joining the judging panel alongside Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams.
Having performed all over the world for more than four decades as part of Penn & Teller, Penn Jillette is a legendary magician, even boasting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the longest running headlining residency in Las Vegas history.
When asked about the daunting task of stepping into Simon’s role, Penn joked: “About time! Should I undo the front of my shirt a little more?
“Maybe bring the trousers up a bit! I’ve met him before but not before this particular show. He handed the magic over to me, handed the reins over to me.”
The two-hour Christmas extravaganza on ITV will see 10 acts competing for the coveted title of ultimate champion of magic.
Stephen Mulhern commented on stepping in for close friends Ant and Dec and described it as a ‘bizarre’ sensation to be on the other side of the show, after hosting its spin-off.
He said: “I'd done Britain's Got More Talent for 14 years, but doing the whole thing you would always associate with Ant and Dec, it was a weird experience, like a dream come true!”
Stephen admitted he was nervous, but also excited at the prospect of a Britain’s Got Talent special dedicated to his first love of magic.
He said: “Honestly, when you see the magic, it's such a great idea. A magic show over Christmas for the family to watch, it's great.
“Also what I think a lot of people sometimes forget is that when the audience at home had the chance to vote for who they want in the final – which I think was two years ago – they voted six magicians into the final.
“So the want for magic, it's always there. Magic always does well.”
Britain’s Got Talent: The Ultimate Magician will air on Sunday 18th December at 8pm on ITV1.
