Amanda Holden

Judge Amanda has received mixed reviews for her Golden Buzzer choices over the years, especially her 2020 choice, mother and daughter Honey and Sammy.

“None of us plan it,” Amanda, 51, says of the buzzer giving an act a free pass to the final. “That’s why they’re so authentic, because they are heartfelt and you have to have that feeling. [This year] I couldn’t wait for mine to get to the end because I knew I needed to get that buzzer pressed before anyone else did it!”

The 2020 series – won by singer Jon Courtenay – was noticeably different to the previous 13, not least because the audience was on screen. “The energy is back, the judges are back, the audience is back!” Amanda says. “The acts that had two years to practise at home are now bubbling with excitement to be on stage. It has been the perfect antidote for the last two years.”