Bradley Walsh is reportedly set to stand in for Simon Cowell at Britain's Got Talent auditions next year while the judge recovers from a back operation. The Chase presenter is tipped to cover for Simon, who is said to have withdrawn from filming auditions, with further filming expected to take place in January.
Bradley Walsh tipped as guest judge
During the most recent series, viewers watched Stacey Solomon step in for Simon when illness prevented him from attending the auditions. This time around, however, it could be Bradley taking centre stage.
A source told The Sun: "Bradley will be a brilliant stand-in for Simon and will offer an old-school performer flavour, which will complement the rest of the cast nicely. He's full of wisecracks and great one-liners, so he should have the audience in stitches."
Other names in the mix
Other names, amongst them Lee Mack and Greg Davies, have also been mentioned as possible replacements for Simon. Bradley is no stranger to the Britain's Got Talent world, having hosted the Royal Variety Show in 2023, which featured the ITV programme's winner, Norwegian comedic clown Viggo Venn, performing on stage.
In addition to Stacey's stint covering for Simon, ITV audiences also saw Ashley Banjo serve as a guest judge back in 2020 during one of Simon's previous absences. ITV has been approached for comment.
Applications open for 20th series
At present, the programme is accepting applications for its 20th series, with entries closing on Friday, 16 October 2026, as producers search for the next champion of the ITV competition.
The application page states: "It's the BIG ONE! That's right, next year it'll be our 20th series of Britain's Got Talent and what better way to celebrate than to showcase some of the best talents to exist in Britain and across the globe. And if you want to be part of BGT's BIGGEST series yet, now's your chance to apply for an audition."
Recent winners
Earlier this year, ITV audiences witnessed The Hawkstone Farmers' Choir crowned as the Britain's Got Talent winners, with drone display group Celestial finishing as runners-up. The choir, established by television presenter Jeremy Clarkson to support farmers' mental wellbeing, impressed both the public and judges with their performances as they secured a £250,000 prize fund and the chance to appear at the annual Royal Variety Performance.
Discussing their victory, choir member Katryna Shell told presenters Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly: "We are the first-ever choir to have won Britain's Got Talent. This is for all the farmers out there, for anybody that's struggling, it's not a taboo subject, if you're not OK, speak up, this is for the farmers." Episodes of Britain's Got Talent are available to watch on ITVX.
