Buzzing to get going...
Simon Cowell has two hopes for Britain’s Got Talent’s 16th series. one, “to make a show which people hopefully will enjoy watching”, he starts, “and, secondly, to give whoever it is that opportunity, hopefully, for things to get better in their lives after they’ve auditioned”.
With many a successful series in the bag and the promise that this year’s variety spectacular will be bigger and better than ever, it seems likely the head judge – and creator of the long-running Got Talent franchise – will get his wish.
“i think things have changed a lot from where we first started, as it always used to be about the end prize,” reflects Simon, 63, who has starred on the show since its 2007 inception.
“i would say now that your first audition is so important because of what happens, virally, that even just that single audition can make a massive difference to your life.”
With more golden buzzers than ever and surprises along the way, this year’s audition stages are wide open for the many talented acts vying for a place in the live semi-finals.
But who will follow in the footsteps of 2022 winner, comedian Axel Blake, and scoop the £250,000 prize and a spot at the Royal Variety Performance?
New to the judging process is Bruno Tonioli, who will join the all-star panel in place of David Walliams, alongside returning favourites Simon, Amanda Holden and Alesha Dixon.
No stranger to voicing his opinion – Strictly Come Dancing fans will be well-versed in the italian choreographer’s flamboyant style, having spent 18 years judging the BBC dance contest – Bruno is certainly pleased with his appointment.
“Honestly, i’ve had such a good time!” the 67-year-old reveals, admitting there were some first-day nerves, exacerbated by him pressing his golden buzzer “at the wrong time”. “it’s completely new for me. i told Simon, ‘i never watched the show before’. But i never watch anything i’m in, i never even watched Strictly or Dancing With The Stars!
“i want to feel free to give it my own personal spin, not copy what someone before me has done,” he explains. “And the truth is that the talent really excites me because i love watching new talent. “This is like live theatre. it’s a proper variety show like we used to get – and i always loved that,” he follows, his voice going due to “screaming for six hours every day”.
“Let me tell you, some of the talent we’ve seen during auditions... absolutely incredible.”
“it feels more homegrown [the talent, this year],” teases Amanda, 52, who, like Simon, has been a part of the show since the beginning.
“it feels like stuff people would be doing in their bedrooms and less professionals this year, but the standard is still exceptionally high.”
As for who we can expect, “we’ve had a lot of choirs this year”, she adds. “There’s a men’s choir, which is just brilliant. i enjoyed the fact that they were a group of men who were coming on for a good singsong.