Telly bosses have reportedly revealed a major Britain's Got Talent format switch-up ahead of the brand-new series airing on ITV in the New Year.
The new season, not featuring David Walliams following his leaked tape scandal, is thought to include a new change-up to the audition process.
Not only will the TV talent show be heading up North for the first time in three years, but there will also be a new way of contestants taking part.
An insider claims that ITV bosses have 'overhauled the audition process' and is now 'inviting viewers to secretly put forward a friend or family member'.
"Nominate an act has essentially unearthed a whole new pool of talent," claimed the telly source.
It's also been claimed that Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon will hold auditions in Manchester after filming at the London Palladium.
The insider told The Sun: "Viewers had become critical of the amount of 'recycled' acts that had appeared on other Got Talents or were already on the pro circuit, but the new process has already sourced some good undiscovered talent.
"Being able to audition in Manchester also effectively unlocks the North — some acts just couldn’t afford the travel for a whole troop or choir, for example."
"It’s all gearing up for a really great new series, now all the pandemic restrictions have lifted too," they explained to the outlet.
The Mirror has contacted ITV for a comment.
It comes after BGT fans and former stars of the show have been reacting after David Walliams confirmed he would no longer be a part of the ITV talent show.
Little Britain star David, 51, quit the talent show after offensive comments he made about a contestant became public.
Now Perri Kiely from Diversity, who appeared on the show in 2009 and won, has voiced his upset over David's departure as he warned the programme won't be the same without him.
He said: "The show will never quite be the same. As with all reality shows when the line-up changes, it's going to be different."
"Not necessarily worse - but it will have a different vibe to it, it will be a slightly different path for the show, but the show will go on," he told The Sun.
David stepped down from Britain's Got Talent after a leaked transcript from the ITV show revealed David made crude references about one woman and called a pensioner a 'c***' during filming for Britain's Got Talent back in 2020.
He apologised for making 'disrespectful comments', which were made during breaks for filming the show. His decision to step back was "not taken lightly".
A source close to the TV judge said: "David has decided to bow out after a ten-year run. He wants to leave on a high after a wonderful time."
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