According to reports, the next season of Britain’s Got Talent will film a “large proportion” of the auditions in Blackpool, the seaside resort best known for hosting rival Strictly Come Dancing.
Each season, the BBC show’s contestants travel north for a special episode where they perform in front of a large audience in the iconic Tower Ballroom.
But now BGT could also be planning to film from exactly the same location in ‘a new move’ to become the king of Saturday night television.
A source said The sun: ‘Strictly’s annual trip to Blackpool is one of the show’s “special moments” and is seen by many as a milestone for the contestants’.
‘But now that journey is also being repeated by rival ITV, there is little doubt that they are trying to encroach on their territory.
The next series of Britain’s Got Talent will reportedly film a ‘large proportion’ of the auditions in Blackpool, the seaside resort most associated with rival show Strictly Come Dancing (LR) BGT’s Runo Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden and Simon Cowell
Each season, the BBC show’s contestants travel north for a special episode where they perform in front of a huge audience in the iconic Tower Ballroom (Strictly 2023 winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola)
But now BGT may also be planning to film at the exact same location in ‘another move’ to become the king of Saturday night television (Tower Ballroom pictured during Strictly 2022)
‘It is yet another attempt to beat the dominant channel Strictly on Saturday night television.’
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
This came after Davina McCall broke her silence on her Britain’s Got Talent appearance following rumours that Bruno Tonioli might be sacked.
The former Big Brother presenter, 56, recently judged Amanda Holden, 53, on her radio show Heart, but has now ruled herself out of the ITV panel.
Narrate The mirror: ‘It’s one thing to replace Amanda in Heart, but I couldn’t fill a seat in BGT. I think that’s wrong somehow.’
‘Amanda is on Heart every day but BGT is huge. I couldn’t do it!’
Last month, Bruno, 68, responded to rumours he wouldn’t be appearing in the next season, claiming he would be “back with the bells on”.
After the show ended last month, there were rumors that the judging panel for the 18th season might be different, as the auditions later this year are set to coincide with the Dancing With The Stars taping in the US.
A source said: ‘Strictly’s annual trip to Blackpool (pictured) is one of the show’s ‘special moments’ and is widely seen as a milestone for the contestants’
They continued: ‘But now that trip is being repeated by its ITV rival, there is little doubt that they are trying to encroach on their territory’
But a source told MailOnline that Bruno stubbornly declared: ‘I’m not going anywhere. I’ll be back with the bells on,’ when asked if his job was on the line.
This was prompted by reports that Simon Cowell would be forced to pull Bruno from the ITV show after two seasons, despite wanting his pal to stay.
The former Strictly judge, who replaced David Walliams on the panel last year, has reportedly been branded “monotonous and hysterical” by an executive at the broadcaster.
According to The sun Producers wanted to take advantage of Bruno’s busy schedule for the next series, due to his commitments across the ocean filming Dancing With the Stars.
It comes after Davina McCall broke her silence on Britain’s Got Talent following reports Bruno Tonioli could be sacked.
The former Big Brother presenter was judge Amanda Holden, 53, on her Heart radio show but has now ruled herself out of the ITV panel (Bruno Tonioli pictured)
Davina said: ‘It’s one thing to replace Amanda in Heart, but I couldn’t fill a seat in BGT. I think that’s wrong somehow’ (L-R) BGT judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon, Bruno Tonioli
MailOnline contacted representatives for Simon and Bruno at the time for comment.
An ITV spokeswoman said: ‘Any plans for Britain’s Got Talent 2025 will be announced in due course.’
While another source told MailOnline: ‘This year’s BGT was a huge success and Bruno played a huge part in that. He is loved by the audience, the acts, his fellow judges, ITV and Thames.’
Simon recently debunked the rumors and confirmed that the Italian choreographer will return next year, despite scheduling conflicts, but admitted that there will be some sort of replacement.
The 64-year-old music mogul said in an interview with Heart Radio: “I wouldn’t replace him. I love Bruno on the show.”
Simon explained that there is a problem with Bruno’s schedule next year, so the star will be standing in for some auditions that he cannot attend.
To dispel the rumours, presenter Jamie Theakston asked the star: ‘I’m going to read you a headline from one of the newspapers today, Simon… ‘Britain’s Got Talent to drop judge Bruno’
While Simon admitted the headline was incorrect, Jamie asked, “Okay, but what about that isn’t true?
Simon explained: ‘Seriously. I’ve been talking to… I don’t know where all this stuff is coming from. I literally spoke to the producers two weeks ago about a scheduling issue with Bruno.
‘Because we’re doing auditions… a number of auditions this year and he’ll be in America.
“So maybe there will be a stand-in for him. I don’t know. But I think Bruno is great on the show. I think he’s brilliant.