Britain’s Got Talent filming is underway but head judge Simon Cowell is missing and has been replaced by ITV star and presenting legend Bradley Walsh.
Britain’s Got Talent filming is underway – but without head judge Simon Cowell.
Simon is missing auditions due to surgery believed to relate to when he broke his back in multiple places during an electric bike accident in 2020.
Now, alongside judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon, Simon’s temporary replacement Bradley Walsh – who hosts the likes of The Chase and Blankety Blank – was seen arriving at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens for auditions.
Also seen arriving was Dec Donnelly – who presents the show alongside Ant McPartlin – as fans lined the streets to celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary and see the talented stars audition for the judges.
Bradley is thought to be stepping in just for the audition process, with hope Simon will be well recovered and back for the main show. The TV host is a popular face among talent show fans, and this will be a new role for us to see him in after his show Blankety Blank was shelved as Bradley was unable to host it due to time constraints.
It was previously revealed that Simon would be missing from the auditions tapings – but the filming for the main show would be moved to allow him to be back for the live programme.
Simon “withdrew” from the auditions process for Britain’s Got Talent in order to recover from back surgery but is expected back for the new series, with Fremantle, the production firm behind the ITV talent show, moving filming dates.
“Simon is, of course, gutted to be missing the auditions, but it’s important that he rests up now so he can make a full recovery. It was a routine op that went well, and he knows the team will find a fun guest judge to spice up filming and keep the audience on their toes,” a source said of his absence from the ITV auditions.
“The current thinking is that producers will choose a male comedian to stand in for now, but decisions are being made currently.” It is believed it was “last-minute” news about Simon and that “a lot of talent was already booked up” for the upcoming period.
Simon fell of his electric bike near his home in Malibu back in 2020. He had six hours of emergency surgery following the accident. The media mogul was also treated for a concussion and a broken arm after the crash.
The new series of Britain’s Got Talent, which will celebrate the show’s 20th anniversary, is expected to air in Spring next year.
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