According to reports, the Britain’s Got Talent judging panel could be in for a shake-up.
The 17th series came to an end this weekend when singer Sydnie Christmas was crowned the winner and scooped the £250,000 cash prize.
With the eighteenth season scheduled to begin filming later this year, insiders have said that Bruno Tonioli’s future on the show is in jeopardy due to filming conflicts.
Bosses are said to be lining up Alan Carr, who was previously tipped to replace David Walliams, as a potential replacement if Bruno cannot commit to another series.
“When it became clear that auditions would start in October, as opposed to January as in the previous 17 series, it became clear that Bruno might not be able to take part,” a source said. The sun.
According to reports, the BGT jury could be in for a shake-up as Bruno Tonioli’s place is in jeopardy (Bruno with Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell and Ant and Dec)
Bosses are said to be lining up Alan Carr, who was previously tipped to replace David Walliams, as a potential replacement if Bruno cannot commit to another series
‘He is committed to the US, but the new format for BGT is non-negotiable as the show will essentially replace Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway. Bruno is a real hit with his fellow judges and viewers, so it would be incredibly sad to see him go.
‘Alan Carr is a name that gets mentioned a lot – his chemistry with Amanda is already a winning formula – and he would add a fantastic comedic touch to the judging panel.
‘A decision will have to be made in the coming weeks.
MailOnline has contacted Britain’s Got Talent representatives Bruno and Alan for comment.
Alan revealed last year that he confronted Simon Cowell after he was rejected as the new Britain’s Got Talent judge.
The comedian, who was approached for the role before it was given to Bruno – without being told – ran into Simon at Amanda Holden’s house a week later.
Funnyman Alan, 47, told the Mail: ‘Amanda Holden said the following week, ‘Alan, I’m having a party,’ I said, ‘great. Love it.”
“I go through the door and oh great, Simon is in there. Oh ***. So, as I always do, I went there in my best mood and said, “My wrist has been hurting all weekend practicing that damn buzzer and you went for Bruno.”
The former Chatty Man presenter then mimicked: ‘Alan, that’s show business.’
With the 18th season scheduled to begin filming later this year, insiders have said that Bruno Tonioli’s future on the show is in jeopardy due to filming conflicts.
Alan and Amanda have achieved success with their interior design show Alan and Amanda’s Italian Job on the BBC
The 17th series ended this weekend with singer Sydnie Christmas being crowned the winner and taking home the £250,000 cash prize.
Alan confirmed he met with ITV talent show bosses earlier this year to replace David Walliams and expected the job would translate well on screen given his close friendship with Amanda.
The duo have found success with their interior design show Alan and Amanda’s Italian Job on the BBC.
He came in after filming the BBC travel show with Amanda to meet Fremantle bosses.
Alan was so confident he had the job that he had even decided what clothes he would wear to the auditions.
However, Simon’s team decided to go for former Strictly judge Bruno, angering ITV executives.
Alan said: ‘I had a meeting with them and they said, “Oh yeah….” and they said I would find out and then on Monday I didn’t know yet that it was Bruno who had to come for the job.
“I don’t really know what happened.”
A change to the panel could give the show a boost after the series suffered the worst ratings in its 17-year history on Sunday night, despite Simon claiming it was the best final he has seen in a long time.
Bookmakers have also claimed the show is at risk of being axed after ratings plummeted.
Just 5.2 million viewers watched the nail-biting final, which saw Sydnie Christmas crowned the 2024 winner.
This year’s series is now the least watched, having fallen since its peak in 2009, when 16.3 million viewers turned on their TVs to watch Diversity win the final against Susan Boyle.
According to Super TV, although ratings were only down slightly from last year’s 5.3 million viewers, there has been a marked decline in popularity for the long-running show.