Bradley Walsh has been seen arriving at Blackpool's Winter Gardens to step in for Simon Cowell as a judge during Britain's Got Talent auditions. Cowell is missing the auditions due to surgery believed to relate to a back injury sustained in an electric bike accident in 2020.
Walsh Joins Judges in Blackpool
Walsh, who hosts The Chase and Blankety Blank, was seen alongside judges Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon as filming got underway. Dec Donnelly, who presents the show with Ant McPartlin, was also seen arriving as fans lined the streets to celebrate the show's 20th anniversary.
Cowell's Recovery and Return
Walsh is thought to be stepping in just for the audition process, with hope that Cowell will be recovered and back for the main show. It was previously revealed that Cowell would miss the auditions tapings, but filming for the main show would be moved to allow him to be back for the live programme.
Cowell withdrew from the auditions process to recover from back surgery but is expected back for the new series. Fremantle, the production firm behind the ITV talent show, has moved filming dates.
Source on Cowell's Absence
“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.
“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 the news about Simon was “last-minute” and that “a lot of talent was already booked up” for the upcoming period.
Background and Anniversary Series
Cowell fell off his electric bike near his home in Malibu in 2020, undergoing six hours of emergency surgery and treatment for a concussion and a broken arm. The new series of Britain's Got Talent, which will celebrate the show's 20th anniversary, is expected to air in spring next year.
