Viewers of Britain's Got Talent have expressed overwhelming support for Stacey Solomon as she stepped in as a judge during the Birmingham auditions on Saturday (March 21). The 36-year-old television personality, who rose to fame on The X Factor in 2009, temporarily replaced head judge Simon Cowell after he fell ill during filming last October.
Stacey joined KSI, Alesha Dixon, and temporary head judge Amanda Holden to evaluate hopefuls vying for the £250,000 prize and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance. ITV audiences took to X (formerly Twitter) to share their reactions, with one user writing, 'Big reception from the crowd for Stacey Solomon as she deputises for Simon.' Another added, 'Go on Stacey!' while a third commented, 'Welcome to the #BGT judging Panel Stacey Solomon.'
During the episode, 12-year-old James from Rye, East Sussex, delivered a stunning rendition of Wicked's 'Defying Gravity'. Alesha Dixon praised him, saying, 'That was how you do it! Everybody loves that big moment at the end... you smashed it!' Stacey added, 'You think your kids are talented and then you're like, 'No, maybe mine aren't so talented,' when you see people like you, James. Your parents must be buzzing.'
Other acts included a magician, a skating act, and a troupe of salsa dancers. Speaking on ITV's This Morning earlier that week, Stacey described her BGT experience as 'full circle', noting, 'I felt like I really connected with people on stage, because it's not easy to put yourself forward in those situations.'
