Britain’s Got Talent returns without Simon

Back in the spring, as Britain was in lockdown, ITV brought a bit of much-needed light entertainment to our Saturday nights with the Britain’s Got Talent audition shows.

However, there were doubts about what would happen when those pre-recorded episodes came to an end. Under normal circumstances, the live semi-finals would have begun – but these circumstances were anything but normal.

Instead, BGT took a break – but now, just as it’s returning, it turns out there was another unforeseen twist in store as Simon Cowell was forced to have emergency surgery after a bike accident in Los Angeles.

It means he couldn’t make the first pre-recorded semi-final. Luckily, he was able to find a replacement in the form of Ashley Banjo, who knows a thing or two about BGT after winning the series with Diversity in 2009.

Simon says: “Ashley will be a fantastic addition to the panel. He knows the power of the show; and the responsibility of it. I couldn’t think of a better person to sit in my seat whilst I follow doctor’s orders. I hate that stupid bike!”

As Simon points out, Ashley has first-hand experience of just how life changing BGT can be. Since his surprise victory (most viewers thought Susan Boyle, who had become a viral sensation following her audition, had it in the bag), Ashley has performed with Diversity around the world and even diversified into TV presenting.

His other credits include being a judge on Got to Dance, Dance, Dance, Dance, and Dancing on Ice and presenting Can’t Touch This and Flirty Dancing.

So, he’s definitely got the right credentials for the job, although he admits that returning to the fold is going to be a little overwhelming.

Ashley explains: “As if 2020 couldn’t get any crazier! It’s super humbling and super exciting! I remember being on that stage last year and talking about how it’s been ten years since we won, and how people should never tell you, you can’t do something. Walking on that stage as a 20-year-old street dancer from the streets of East London and now I am walking out there and stepping in for the big man! It feels really nice, almost poetic.”

Ashley’s presence won’t be the only difference as the semi-finals get under way. As usual, Ant and Dec will be hosting while Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and David Walliams join Ashley at the judges’ desk, but the episodes will be pre-recorded.

Eight acts will perform in each edition (last week’s memory-jogging Britain’s Got Talent: The Finalists Revealed saw the judges deciding who would go through to this stage), but while some will be in the studio, others will take part remotely via video link.

There will also be no live crowd in the studio, but the performances will be beamed into the homes of a virtual audience and the hopefuls will get a chance to see their reactions.

Then it’s up to the judges to pick one act to make it through to October’s live final, while viewers at home can vote for a second.

It’s not BGT as we know it, but the show must go on.

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