Bradley Walsh has replaced Simon Cowell as a judge at the Blackpool auditions for Britain's Got Talent. They are currently filming the 20th season of the popular ITV talent competition, with auditions underway across the UK.
It has been revealed that The Chase host will be stepping in for Simon at the Winter Gardens theatre this week, after he had to bow out in order to recover from a back operation. Bradley will join returning judges Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, and KSI.
Judges tease new panellist
In a video posted to the official BGT social media platforms, the three panellists teased who would be joining them in Blackpool. Amanda said: "Have you heard the rumours about our guest judge on Britain's Got Talent? I heard that he's going to be on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury with Mr Tumble." KSI joked: "I heard he made a diss track on me." Alesha added: "I heard that he's a table tennis world champion."
Then the camera pans to Bradley and he says, in his classic The Chase tone: "Stop the clock. That is wrong. It's me, Bradley Walsh." In a second video posted to the official BGT platforms, Bradley showed social media users his first day in the office.
Fans react with excitement
The gameshow host was thrilled to see his name at the top of the stage with an X, ready to buzz potential auditionees. He said: "It's going very well, I'm enjoying it. And Amanda, Alesha and KSI are so lovely to work with."
Fans responded to the news with excitement. One person said: "Great choice! Looking forward to seeing him on the panel!" Another added: "Fantastic! Looking forward to seeing BGT now." A third explained that he'd be perfect for the role, saying: "An ideal judge tbh, especially in terms of his background. Bradley did work as a Bluecoat at Pontins holiday park, back in 1982, in Morecambe, and that led his way into the ents world."
20th anniversary plans
This series of Britain's Got Talent is expected to be bigger and better to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the show. A source revealed to The Sun on Sunday newspaper that there will be plenty for fans to look forward to and they may even get to see some familiar faces.
They said: "A 20th anniversary extravaganza is in the works as producers work out which familiar faces to bring back to celebrate the huge milestone. Simon, Piers [Morgan] and Amanda had such fun chemistry. The idea would be to bring Piers back as a guest judge for the January auditions. Then the former acts, like Susan Boyle and Paul Potts, would appear later in the year for the live shows."
Britain's Got Talent will be returning to ITV1 and ITV X in the new year.
