Britain's Got Talent is bursting back onto our screens and there is a new - yet familiar - face on the judging panel. Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon are back scouring the country for the most talented performers - from singers to magicians and everything in between.
But instead of David Walliams, it is Bruno Tonioli joining them. The former Strictly Come Dancing judge has swapped panels - and channels - to appear on the ITV talent show which returns on Saturday and Sunday night (April 15 and 16) with auditions from Salford in Greater Manchester and London.
Other contestants have been found through videos entered via WhatsApp and members of the public secretly nominating acts they love. Hopefuls are again competing for a prize of £250,000 and the opportunity to perform at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the royal family later this year.
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Former Strictly star Bruno, 67, replaced comedian, actor and author David on the panel after the comedian apologised last year for making “disrespectful comments” about auditioning contestants recorded during filming breaks at the London Palladium in January 2020.
David, who had been with the show since 2012, stated: "I would like to apologise to the people I made disrespectful comments about during breaks in filming for Britain’s Got Talent in 2020. These were private conversations and – like most conversations with friends – were never intended to be shared. Nevertheless, I am sorry."
The Guardian reported that lawyers for David and Thames TV, the production company behind Britain’s Got Talent, argued the comments were part of a private conversation never intended for broadcast.
In a statement, Thames TV said: "Although relating to a private conversation almost three years ago, the language used was inappropriate. Even though it was private, those involved have been spoken to and reminded of their responsibilities and the show’s expectations as to future professional conduct."
In a statement, ITV said: "We do not condone the language outlined in these allegations, and we have spoken to the producers of Britain’s Got Talent. Duty of care towards all participants on any of our programmes is always of paramount importance and we have protocols and guidelines in place for all our production partners.”
But speaking about David, Bruno revealed how he was one of the first to congratulate him on his new TV job. "I haven’t seen David, but he was the first person to send me a message saying congratulations," Bruno told Radio Times. "He also sent a fantastic bottle of Italian wine to my dressing room on my first day. I thought that was absolute class," he added.
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