Simon Cowell addresses Britain's Got Talent's future ahead of new series after 'rubbish' start

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Simon Cowell has addressed the future of Britain's Got Talent as he prepares to return to screens with the hit talent show. The ITV programme will return for its 17th series in a double weekend extravaganza on Saturday (April 20) and Sunday (April 21).

In the upcoming series, the golden buzzer, which sends contestants straight to the semi-finals, will be used nine times, despite the fact there has previously been a limit to one judge each.

Speaking about the golden buzzers, singer and judge Alesha Dixon joked that there used to be rules before former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli joined in 2023, replacing comedian David Walliams. READ MORE: Stacey Solomon issues 'exciting' statement after saying it was 'time to say goodbye' Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link When Tonioli joined during the 16th series he broke the rules when he pressed the golden buzzer for a second time during a performance from singer Gamal John.

But Simon was keen to share how the show has a very interesting history and why he thinks the reality competition will be here for a "long, long time," adding that "people now come from all over the world to compete". "When we first started, we did the pilot here and it was rubbish.