Britain's Got Talent is returns for series 16 with not one, but two episodes in a 'super weekender', ITV has announced. The long-running talent contest hosted by Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly also has a brand new judge.
Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon will be joined by new addition to the line-up Bruno Tonioli as their search for new talent begins. Britain's Got Talent auditions rolled into Salford in February and the judges were all in high spirits as they stepped out on the red carpet at The Lowry.
The judging panel and Ant and Dec posed for the cameras and greeted fans as show hopefuls flocked to the venue in a bid to impress and make it through to the next round to be in with a chance of winning £250,000 and a spot at the 2023 Royal Variety Performance.
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The new Britain's Got Talent, which was won last year by comedian Axel Blake, begins Saturday April 15 at 8pm with a second episode on Sunday April 16 at 7:45pm on ITV1.
In January Bruno was officially announced as Britain’s Got Talent's new judge after weeks of speculation, replacing David Walliams. Hosts Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly welcomed the former Strictly Come Dancing judge to the panel at the first audition taping at the London Palladium.
The audience gasped in excitement as the names of the judges were lowered from above the stage, as Ant said "here they come." Dec then announced: ‘Please give a huge London Palladium welcome to the four judges for this afternoon: They are Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli!’
An upbeat Bruno then appeared, punching the air and blowing kisses as he walked to the stage, wearing a sparkling red blazer. "Can we say a massive welcome to Bruno!" said Ant.
Bruno, who was replaced as a judge on Strictly by Anton Du Beke in 2021, picked up a microphone to say: "Thank you very much. I am thrilled to be here."
He said about Amanda and Alesha: "Look at these girls, they’re stunning!", and he said it was an "honour" to "finally" work with Simon. "He’s teased me with this for years. Years and years and years, and tell you, honestly, I’m thrilled to be here." Bruno, encouraged by Alesha, then had a go at pressing his buzzer for the first time.
Comedian and author David has been replaced on the BGT judging desk after 10 years. The Little Britain star apologised for making "disrespectful comments" about participants during breaks from filming for the show in 2020.
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